14 recalls found. |
DEFECT #1 - EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Posted on: 2002-07-23
Description
Certain transit buses fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle standard no. 101, controls and displays. This standard requires specific labeling for engine start and engine stop. The wording of the labels on these vehicles do not meet the requirements of the standard.
Consequence
The operator could place the engine switch in a position other than that intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
Owners will be provided with new decals and installation instructions. Owner notification began august 29, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #2 - SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Posted on: 2002-09-05
Description
On certain school and transit buses equipped with passenger seat belts with retractors, the cover halves for the retractable portion of the belt can separate completely and release the seat belt connector. If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury. The seat belt supplier, am-safe, will provide a snap on over-cover to owners to prevent the seat belt cover from separating.
Consequence
If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury.
Corrective Action
Owners will be provided a snap-on over-cover to prevent the seat belt cover from separating. Owner notification is expected to begin on or about september 27, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #3 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER
Posted on: 2001-10-10
Description
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. Insufficient torque on the arvin-meritor air brake chamber mounting nuts can allow the nuts to loosen over time.
Consequence
This condition could reduce braking of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.
Corrective Action
Dealers will inspect the torque values on each brake chamber nut and tighten to specifications. Owner notification began november 16, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-822-2242.
Notes
Blue bird recall no. R01fk.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #4 - SUSPENSION
Posted on: 2001-11-05
Description
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with hendrickson rear air suspension. Inadequate tightening of the 5/8 bolts on the rear air suspension hanger bolts and on rear axle torque arm axle seat studs.
Consequence
Insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
Dealers will replace the 5/8 grade 8-hanger bolts. In addition, axle spring seat fasteners will be checked for proper tightness and, if needed, tightened to specifications. Owner notification began january 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #5 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS
Posted on: 2001-03-01
Description
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with a combination spicer j230 rear axle, spring suspension, and crewson brunner automatic slack adjusters. The crewson brunner slack adjuster contacts a u-bolt mounting bracket when a combination of the listed components are installed. The combination does not allow for full extension of the slack adjuster when brakes are applied.
Consequence
This can cause a potential for reduced braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
Dealers will install modified u-bolt brackets that will provide the needed clearance. Owner notification began march 15, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.
Notes
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #6 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Posted on: 2001-06-14
Description
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. The 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.
Consequence
This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Corrective Action
Dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-822-2242.
Notes
Blue bird recall no. R01ff.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #7 - STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Posted on: 2000-08-30
Description
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. These buses could have improperly installed or missing pinch bolts in the steering shaft assemblies.
Consequence
This can result in disengagement of the steering slip shaft assembly and loss of steering.
Corrective Action
Owners will be provided with installation instructions and new replacement bolts and locking nuts for the steering shaft assemblies.
Notes
Owner notification began september 6, 2000. Owners do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #8 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
Posted on: 2001-01-26
Description
Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with meritor wabco phase 1, d-version antilock brake system (abs), fail to comply to the requirements of fmvss no. 105, hydraulic and electric brake systems. An internal diagnostic system in the abs may not detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap. Such a condition could possibly occur during (1) original assembly or (2) subsequent wheel end service.
Consequence
Failure of the electronic control unit to detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap can result in the loss of antilock braking function on the wheel(s) where the air gap exists, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
The abs ecu will be removed and replaced or the ecu will be reprogrammed.
Notes
Owner notification began february 12, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #9 - STRUCTURE:BODY
Posted on: 2003-10-23
Description
Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 221, school bus body joint strength. One or more of the bolts attaching the driver's platform to the floor structure was omitted.
Consequence
The rear of the driver's platform may not be properly retained in the event of a crash which could increase the risk of injury or death to passengers.
Corrective Action
Blue bird will notify its customers and inspect and repair the affected units. Owner notification began on november 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Notes
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #10 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY
Posted on: 2005-08-31
Description
Certain 2001 through 2006 my blue bird all american, tc2000, and vision transit school buses manufactured between january 5, 2001, and july 15, 2005. These buses are equipped with a battery disconnect switch that has connections that may be loose on the battery switch studs creating the potential for the bus to shut down while in operation.
Consequence
Should the bus shut down while in operation, a vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective Action
Blue bird will notify its owners and instruct them on how to repair the switch. The recall began on october 19 , 2005. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Notes
Blue bird recall no. R05ka.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
DEFECT #11 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Posted on: 2005-04-15
Description
Certain 2001 through 2005 all american, commercial series, and q-bus school and transit buses equipped with john deere 8.1 cng engines. The subject buses equipped with the john deere engines may surge inappropriately due to erractic operation of the air throttle if the engine is taken from full to zero load.
Consequence
Unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.
Corrective Action
John deere will notify blue bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. Customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-jd-engine.
Notes
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
DEFECT #12 - FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Posted on: 2005-02-28
Description
Certain 1998 through 2002 blue bird all american, tc2000 school and transit buses, and commercial series buses equipped with cummins isb diesel engines. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Consequence
Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective Action
Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. For more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Notes
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
DEFECT #13 - SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Posted on: 2003-10-08
Description
On certain rear engine (a3re) school buses, the type and location of the fasteners used to retain the seat belt in the last row of seats does not conform to blue bird engineering specifications.
Consequence
This installation may not adequately retain seat belts in the event of a severe crash.
Corrective Action
Blue bird will provide its distributors and owners the parts and instructions to install the correct fasteners free of charge. Owner notification is expected to begin november 20, 2003. Owners who do not receive the parts and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
Blue bird recall no. R03hc.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
DEFECT #14 - SEATS
Posted on: 2003-10-10
Description
On certain school buses equipped with optional seat belts or seat belt ready seats, some belts were installed with only two bolts rather than the required three (3) bolts.
Consequence
These seats could detach from the wall side attachment points in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Corrective Action
Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to install the missing bolt free of charge. Owner notification is expected to on november 3, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
Blue bird recall no. R03hb.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).