1994 Blue Bird All American Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V321000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R00EH
Date of Owner Notification: October 12th, 2000

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS ENGINES (CNG). THE ORIGINAL PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES MAY VENT UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence Summary:
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 12, 2000.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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V153000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1991
Manufactured End Date: June 30th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: August 24th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES. MOVEMENT OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE IN THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET RUBS A GROOVE IN THE BRACKET. THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THIS GROOVE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence Summary:
THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 24, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V112000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: July 15th, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: January 20th, 1997

Defect Summary:
THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 20, 1997.NOTE: 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V073000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: April 23rd, 1988
Manufactured End Date: April 22nd, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: August 21st, 1996

Defect Summary:
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE DIRECTED TO REMOVE ALL FORWARD HANDRAILS. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THOSE OWNERS OPERATING IN STATES WHICH MANDATE A FORWARD HANDRAIL THAT A REPLACEMENT HANDRAIL WILL BE PROVIDED.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH FORWARD HANDRAILS. NOTE: OWNER 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95E003007
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1993
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1993

Defect Summary:
AIR SYSTEM BLOCKAGE IN THE AIR DRYER OCCURS DEGRADING THE MOISTURE REMOVING CAPABILITIES OF THE DRYER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A COLD ENVIRONMENT AND MOISTURE ACCUMULATES AND FREEZES IN THE AIR DRYER OR IN THE LINE BETWEEN THE DRYER AND THE AIR SYSTEM RESERVOIR. THE AIR DRYER CAN BECOME OVERPRESSURIZED CAUSING THE AIR DRYER CARTRIDGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BASE.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE AIR DRYER SEPARATES FROM THE BASE, THE CARTRIDGECAN SEPARATE SUFFICIENTLY ENOUGH TO CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL EQUIP AIR SYSTEMS WITH A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO BE LOCATED BETWEEN THE COMPRESSOR AND THE AIR DRYER. THIS PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IS INTENDED TO VENT IF EXCESSIVE PRESSURE DEVELOPS IN THE AIR DRYER.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: BRAKES; AIR DRYER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ROCKWELL WABCO SYSTEM SAVER"1000" OR SYSTEM SAVER "TWIN" AIR DRYER. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V150000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Date of Owner Notification: September 12th, 1995

Defect Summary:
THE FLOOR LINE HANDRAIL BRACKET CAN EXPAND DURING USE AND CREATE AN OPENING WHICH COULD ENTRAP COAT STRINGS, ETC. AND OTHER ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL COULD BE DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; OTHER PIECES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FORWARD AND REAR ENGINE TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES; CONVENTIONAL AND WIDE BODY CHASSIS.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLETIME, SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V090000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: June 30th, 1995

Defect Summary:
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SET SCREW TO THE METAL CLAMP WHICH RETAINS THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL. A HIGH IMPACT MOLDED PLASTIC "CLAM SHELL" WILL BE PLACED OVER EACH END OF THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL COMPLETELY COVERING THE CLAMP AND ELIMINATING ALL CATCH-POINTS. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE CRIMPED SECURING THE VERTICAL SECTION OF THE PRIMARY TUBLAR HANDRAIL AT THE FLOOR LINE.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TUBULAR HANDRAILS.NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V-032.000.IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE ONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V051000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1992
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: May 3rd, 1995

Defect Summary:
THE AISLE SIDE STYROFOAM KNEE PADS ON THE SUBJECT BARRIERS ARE 11" WIDE AND NOT 14.5" AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence Summary:
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT PAD WITH THE CORRECT 14.5" KNEE PAD.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT; MATERIAL; FMVSS NO. 222. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V036000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: March 23rd, 1995

Defect Summary:
QUENCH CRACKS OCCURRED IN THE PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLT DURING THE BOLT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, CAUSING A WEAKNESS IN THESE BOLTS.

Consequence Summary:
THESE CRACKS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO FRACTURE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT BOLTS FOR ALL AFFECTED UNITS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STEERING; LINKAGES; ARM; PITMAN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES.NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.