Recall 11V309 affects 143 2006-2011 Girardin G5 and G5 School Bus buses for wiring damage. Repair is free at any franchised Girardin dealer.
Girardin is recalling 143 2006-2011 G5 and G5 School Bus buses under recall 11V309 because the wiring harness behind the driver seat can rub against metal floor molding and damage insulation. Damaged insulation can cause an electrical short and lead to a fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electrical wiring harness on the 2006-2011 Girardin G5 and G5 School Bus carries power and signals through the bus body. In this recall, the harness passes behind the driver seat, between the B pillar and the raised floor. That wiring needs clearance so the insulation stays intact as the bus flexes and vibrates in service.
On affected school buses, the raised floor behind the driver seat traps the harness against the metal floor molding. Normal movement then lets the wires rub on the metal edge. Over time, that abrasion damages the wire insulation, leaving the wiring less protected than designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The damage is in a tucked-away area near the driver seat, so an owner or fleet mechanic should not expect a clear dashboard message or driver complaint before the harness is inspected.
Who's affected?
The listing spans the G5 and G5 School Bus names across 2006-2011, with wiring listed as the component for every included bus.
| 2007 Girardin G5 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2010 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | wiring |
| 2011 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | wiring |
| 2010 Girardin G5 | wiring |
| 2008 Girardin G5 | wiring |
| 2006 Girardin G5 | wiring |
| 2009 Girardin G5 | wiring |
| Units affected | 143 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Damaged wire insulation can allow an electrical short, and that short can lead to a fire. Because the recall does not identify a warning sign, schedule the repair promptly instead of waiting for symptoms. Repair will be free at any franchised Girardin dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2011 Girardin G5 or G5 School Bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Girardin owner notice, which was mailed on July 5, 2011.
- Call Girardin at 1-819-477-2012 with questions about the free bus repair.
- Ask a franchised Girardin dealer to inspect the wiring harness behind the driver seat and complete the repair that protects the damaged insulation from shorting against the metal floor molding.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. Reference recall number 11V309 when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus until the wiring harness has been inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Girardin technician repairs the affected school bus free of charge once the recall repair is available. The work centers on the OEM cutaway wiring harness behind the driver seat, where the raised floor trapped the harness against the metal floor molding and damaged wire insulation. The technician checks that area, repairs damaged wiring, and secures the harness so it no longer rubs against the floor molding. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| June 6, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 5, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V309?
Recall 11V309 covers 143 2006-2011 Girardin G5 and G5 School Bus buses with wiring routed near the raised floor behind the driver seat. The floor can trap the harness, damage the wire insulation, and create an electrical short that can lead to a fire.
What should I do if my 2006-2011 Girardin G5 or G5 School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 11V309. If it is, contact a franchised Girardin dealer and ask for the wiring harness recall repair. Reference recall number 11V309 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will repair the affected buses free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included Girardin G5 and G5 School Bus vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is an electrical short that can lead to a fire. The recall involves a wiring harness trapped near the raised floor behind the driver seat, where rubbing against metal floor molding can damage the insulation. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Girardin bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the bus was purchased. Check your VIN, then give the dealer recall number 11V309 when you schedule the wiring harness repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V309000 |
|---|---|
| Girardin customer service | 1-819-477-2012 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V309 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V309000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →