Blue Bird and others Recall 13V457000: Electrical System
NHTSA recall 13V457000 · announced September 19, 2013 · filed by North American Bus Industries, Inc. · 4,061 units affected
The problem
North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
What to do
NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
Official NHTSA recall notice →
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Vehicles covered by this recall
- 2007 Blue Bird L4re
- 2008 Blue Bird L4re
- 2009 Blue Bird L4re
- 2000 Nabi Brt
- 2001 Nabi Brt
- 2002 Nabi Brt
- 2003 Nabi Brt
- 2004 Nabi Brt
- 2005 Nabi Brt
- 2006 Nabi Brt
- 2007 Nabi Brt
- 2008 Nabi Brt
- 2009 Nabi Brt
- 2010 Nabi Brt
- 2011 Nabi Brt
- 2000 Nabi Clfw
- 2001 Nabi Clfw
- 2002 Nabi Clfw
- 2003 Nabi Clfw
- 2004 Nabi Clfw
- 2005 Nabi Clfw
- 2006 Nabi Clfw
- 2007 Nabi Clfw
- 2008 Nabi Clfw
- 2009 Nabi Clfw
- 2010 Nabi Clfw
- 2011 Nabi Clfw
- 2000 Nabi Lfw
- 2001 Nabi Lfw
- 2002 Nabi Lfw
- 2003 Nabi Lfw
- 2004 Nabi Lfw
- 2005 Nabi Lfw
- 2006 Nabi Lfw
- 2007 Nabi Lfw
- 2008 Nabi Lfw
- 2009 Nabi Lfw
- 2010 Nabi Lfw
- 2011 Nabi Lfw
- 2000 Optima Opus
- 2001 Optima Opus
- 2002 Optima Opus
- 2003 Optima Opus
- 2004 Optima Opus
- 2005 Optima Opus
- 2006 Optima Opus
- 2007 Optima Opus
- 2008 Optima Opus
- 2009 Optima Opus
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.