2006 Blue Bird Express 4500 Recalls

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V480000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R13WN
Date of Owner Notification: December 17th, 2013

Defect Summary:
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2004 Ultra LMB, 2003-2006 Ultra LF and 2004-2007 Express commercial buses equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Consequence Summary:
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Corrective Summary:
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WN.

Recall Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V259000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R08ND
Manufactured Begin Date: August 5th, 2005
Manufactured End Date: May 25th, 2007
Date of Owner Notification: July 11th, 2008

Defect Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 33 MY 2006-2007 EXPRESS 4500 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH MAC TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AT HIGH MILEAGE.

Consequence Summary:
A FRACTURE TIE ROD MAY SEPARATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAUSING UNEXPECTED LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING. IN SOME MANEUVERS THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WITH A REDESIGNED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Recall Notes:
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R08ND.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.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V540000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R07MP
Manufactured Begin Date: November 2nd, 2006
Manufactured End Date: May 19th, 2007
Date of Owner Notification: November 9th, 2007

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, THE CASTLE NUTS ON THE TIE ROD ENDS AND RELAY ROD STUDS IN THE INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES ARE LOOSE AND/OR NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. LOW AND/OR NO TORQUE ON A NUT CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, THEREBY ALLOWING THE TAPERED JOINT TO MOVE AND SUBSEQUENTLY SHEAR THE COTTER PIN.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE STEERING LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH ARVIN-MERITOR TO REPAIR THESE COACHES (PLEASE SEE 07E094). THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Recall Notes:
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R07MP.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.