NHTSA Campaign 13V457000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Issued by North American Bus Industries, Inc. · Reported Sep 19, 2013 · 4,061 vehicles affected

What's 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.

Consequence

Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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 affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
BLUE BIRD L4RE 2007 4,061
BLUE BIRD L4RE 2008 4,061
BLUE BIRD L4RE 2009 4,061
NABI BRT 2000 4,061
NABI BRT 2001 4,061
NABI BRT 2002 4,061
NABI BRT 2003 4,061
NABI BRT 2004 4,061
NABI BRT 2005 4,061
NABI BRT 2006 4,061
NABI BRT 2007 4,061
NABI BRT 2008 4,061
NABI BRT 2009 4,061
NABI BRT 2010 4,061
NABI BRT 2011 4,061
NABI CLFW 2000 4,061
NABI CLFW 2001 4,061
NABI CLFW 2002 4,061
NABI CLFW 2003 4,061
NABI CLFW 2004 4,061
NABI CLFW 2005 4,061
NABI CLFW 2006 4,061
NABI CLFW 2007 4,061
NABI CLFW 2008 4,061
NABI CLFW 2009 4,061
NABI CLFW 2010 4,061
NABI CLFW 2011 4,061
NABI LFW 2000 4,061
NABI LFW 2001 4,061
NABI LFW 2002 4,061
NABI LFW 2003 4,061
NABI LFW 2004 4,061
NABI LFW 2005 4,061
NABI LFW 2006 4,061
NABI LFW 2007 4,061
NABI LFW 2008 4,061
NABI LFW 2009 4,061
NABI LFW 2010 4,061
NABI LFW 2011 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2000 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2001 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2002 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2003 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2004 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2005 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2006 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2007 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2008 4,061
OPTIMA OPUS 2009 4,061

Source: NHTSA Campaign 13V457000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.