2003 Blue Bird All American Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V205000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R09PE
Manufactured Begin Date: July 16th, 2003
Manufactured End Date: April 10th, 2009
Date of Owner Notification: June 25th, 2009

Defect Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,203 MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 16, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 10, 2009. THE PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCK IS NOT WIRED TO INHIBIT THE STARTER AT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VANDAL LOCK IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence Summary:
THE VEHICLES CAN BE STARTED AND DRIVEN EVEN WHEN AN OWNER MAY THINK THEY CANNOT.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 25, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-422-2242.

Recall Notes:
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. R09PE.OWNERS 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 .

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V382000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R05KA
Manufactured Begin Date: January 9th, 2001
Manufactured End Date: June 18th, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: October 19th, 2005

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
SHOULD THE BUS SHUT DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V251000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R05JW
Date of Owner Notification: August 12th, 2005

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN BLUE BIRD 2002 THROUGH 2006 MY ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, MINIBIRD, MICROBIRD, VISION, AND TC2000 SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence Summary:
SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING MOTORISTS SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ALL ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN OR NEAR ANY OF THE STATES LISTED ABOVE, BLUE BIRD IS ENCOURAGING THE BUS OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN THE WARMER STATES, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH UPON OWNER REQUEST. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO REQUEST THE REMEDY, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Recall Notes:
BLUE BIRD CAMPAIGN NO. R05JW.THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V239000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R05JV
Date of Owner Notification: August 12th, 2005

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence Summary:
SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V152000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R05JP

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V074000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R05JM
Manufactured Begin Date: December 21st, 2002
Manufactured End Date: February 25th, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: March 31st, 2005

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN 2002-2006 MY BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES, AND COMMERCIAL SERIES TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 21, 2002, AND FEBRUARY 24, 2005. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WEBASTO COOLANT HEATERS, MODEL DBW 2010, ASSEMBLED WITH WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, P/N 303046/26533A MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND FEBRUARY 2005. THE STAINLESS STEEL BURNER TUBE IS MADE OUT OF A MATERIAL THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.

Consequence Summary:
SHOULD THE BURNER TUBE FAIL, THE COOLANT HEATER COULD OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE BURNER TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Recall Notes:
FREE OF CHARGE.THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005.OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO AIR AT 574-970-0744.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V363000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R03GZ
Manufactured Begin Date: October 2nd, 1998
Manufactured End Date: August 22nd, 2003
Date of Owner Notification: November 20th, 2003

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V364000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R03HB
Manufactured Begin Date: August 3rd, 2000
Manufactured End Date: August 26th, 2003
Date of Owner Notification: November 3rd, 2003

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V362000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R03HC
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 2002
Manufactured End Date: August 16th, 2003
Date of Owner Notification: November 20th, 2003

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
THIS INSTALLATION MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN SEAT BELTS IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V302000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R02GR
Manufactured Begin Date: December 17th, 2001
Manufactured End Date: October 28th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: December 12th, 2002

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN FRONT ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES, THE REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE COULD CONTACT THE FRAME RAIL AND ABRADE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence Summary:
IF THIS OCCURS, VEHICLE BRAKING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE TO FRAME RAIL CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THE BRAKE HOSE CLAMPS AT THE AXLE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. ANY CHAFED BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V217000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R02GE
Manufactured Begin Date: June 5th, 2001
Manufactured End Date: July 11th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: September 29th, 2002

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB ENGINES, THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER COULD CHAFE AGAINST ENGINE COMPONENTS.

Consequence Summary:
THE HARNESS CAN WEAR THROUGH CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO ADD A BRACKET TO SUPPORT THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE ENGINE COMPONENTS. BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT HARNESS FOR ANY HARNESSES FOUND ABRADED AND WILL REIMBURSE THE CUSTOMER FOR THE LABOR REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 29, 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.

Recall 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).