Recall 13V457000: 2000–2009 Optima Opus and 1 other model

Report received

Sep 19, 2013

Manufacturer

North American Bus Industries, Inc.

Potentially affected

4,061vehicles

Model years

2000–2009

Check your own vehicle. A recall applies only to vehicles within the affected build range. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

What NHTSA recorded

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.

Possible 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.

Affected model years

Pages for each model year show complaints, parts, mileage and other recalls.

• 2007 Blue Bird L4RE0 complaints
• 2008 Blue Bird L4RE0 complaints
• 2009 Blue Bird L4RE0 complaints
• 2000 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2001 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2002 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2003 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2004 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2005 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2006 Optima Opus0 complaints
• 2007 Optima Opus8 complaints
• 2008 Optima Opus1 complaints
• 2009 Optima Opus0 complaints