Recall 21V530 covers 17,204 2003-2022 Micro Bird Mb Ii, T-Series, and G5 School Bus models for binding emergency-release handles. Dealer repair is free.
Micro Bird is recalling 17,204 2003-2022 Mb Ii School Bus, G5 School Bus, and T-Series School Bus vehicles because the emergency release handle on the service door can bind. If the door panels do not open during an emergency, evacuation is delayed and injury risk rises; Micro Bird dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The service door emergency release on 2003-2022 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus, G5 School Bus, and T-Series School Bus buses is the backup handle for opening the powered entry door. The normal electric door mechanism opens and closes the service door during regular stops, while the emergency release handle lets someone open the door if the powered system is not doing the job.
On affected buses, the electric service door is not correctly adjusted. That misadjustment lets parts of the door mechanism shift out of line, so the emergency release handle can bind instead of moving the door panels. The problem can affect the interior handle, and on buses equipped with one, the exterior handle as well.
There is no warning sign before failure. The handle can feel normal until someone needs to use it, then bind and leave the service door panels closed.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Micro Bird school bus lines from 2003-2022, all tied to the service door emergency release.
| 2020 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2016 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2019 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2020 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2011 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2010 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2009 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2007 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2006 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2005 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2006 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2005 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2004 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2003 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2015 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2017 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2018 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2021 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2012 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2008 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2004 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2003 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2003 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2022 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2004 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2006 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2007 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2008 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2010 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2011 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2012 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2014 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2017 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2018 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2020 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2021 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2007 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2008 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2009 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2013 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2015 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2017 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2018 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2021 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2014 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2013 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2022 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2022 Micro Bird G5 School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2005 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2009 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2013 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2015 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2016 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2019 Micro Bird T-Series School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2010 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2011 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2012 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2014 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2016 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2019 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 17,204 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year, model, and bus type does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A service door that does not open can block evacuation during an emergency and increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign listed, so treat the door adjustment as a safety repair and schedule it soon. Repair is free at any franchised Micro Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2022 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus, G5 School Bus, or T-Series School Bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Micro Bird dealer to schedule the free service-door adjustment that keeps the emergency release handle from binding.
- Bring the recall notice to the appointment, or reference recall number 21V530 when you call.
- Have staff check the service door and emergency release before use, and keep the bus out of passenger service if the door sticks.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, Micro Bird provides instructions for correctly adjusting the service door so the emergency release handle and door panels operate as intended. The recall repair is free, and Micro Bird says it will provide required parts and reimburse repair costs. If you already paid for this service door repair, ask the dealer or Micro Bird customer service how to submit the repair paperwork for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 13, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 27, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 8, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V530?
Recall 21V530 covers 17,204 2003-2022 Micro Bird Mb Ii School Bus, G5 School Bus, and T-Series School Bus vehicles. The emergency release handle on the service door can bind, stopping the door panels from opening during an evacuation. Micro Bird dealers will provide service-door adjustment instructions for free.
What should I do if my 2003-2022 Micro Bird school bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 21V530. If it is, contact a Micro Bird dealer or Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012 for the service-door adjustment instructions. Reference recall number 21V530 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost. For recall 21V530, Micro Bird dealers will provide the instructions needed to correctly adjust the service door free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is blocked emergency exit through the service door. If the release handle binds, the door panels can fail to open during an emergency evacuation, increasing the risk of injury. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free remedy instructions through a Micro Bird dealer.
What if I bought this Micro Bird school bus used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the owner letter that Micro Bird mailed on September 8, 2021, check your VIN and reference recall number 21V530 when contacting a Micro Bird dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V530000 |
|---|---|
| Micro Bird customer service | 1-819-477-2012 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V530 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V530000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →