Blue Bird / Nabi / Optima recall: Electrical system
What is wrong
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.
What could happen
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.
Vehicles covered
- Blue Bird L4Re 2007–2009
- Nabi Brt 2000–2011
- Nabi Clfw 2000–2011
- Nabi Lfw 2000–2011
- Optima Opus 2000–2009
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 13V457000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- North American Bus Industries, Inc.
- Reported to NHTSA
- Sep 19, 2013
- Owners notified
- Not yet
- Vehicles or items affected
- 4,061
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2009
- Part
- Electrical system
- Maker's own recall number
- 20136
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.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Optima recall: Steering May 2, 2012
- Nabi recall: Engine and engine cooling May 19, 2015
- Nabi recall: Fuel system, diesel Aug 19, 2014
- Nabi recall: Engine and engine cooling Feb 25, 2014
- Nabi recall: Engine and engine cooling Dec 10, 2010
- Blue Bird recall: Structure Jan 11, 2013
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.