1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
The 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most commonly reported problems involve the Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert (1 complaint), Exterior Lightingback Up Lights (1 complaint), and Fuel System Otherdeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior Lightingback Up Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel System Otherdeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK UP ALARM AND REVERSE LIGHTS DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN A FATALITY. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THERE WERE NO BACK UP LIGHTS OR AUDIBLE WARNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY A BUS DRIVER WAS STRUCK. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *JB
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK UP ALARM AND REVERSE LIGHTS DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN A FATALITY. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THERE WERE NO BACK UP LIGHTS OR AUDIBLE WARNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY A BUS DRIVER WAS STRUCK. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *JB
EIGHT (8) OF OUR DISTRICT OWNED BLUEBIRD TC 2000 SCHOOL BUSES HAVE BODY CRACKING PROBLEMS. THESE BUSES RANGE FOR 1997 TO 2003 YEAR MODELS. ALL BUSES HAVE EXPERIENCED CRACKING AT THE REAR PILLARS, ROOF BOWS AT THE SIDE WINDOWS, AND AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AS WELL AS EMERGENCY EXITS. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF SERVICE. ALL BUSES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AS PER BLUEBIRDS SPECIFICATIONS, AT PROFESSIONAL BODY SHOPS. AT LEAST FOUR TIMES, YET THE BODIES CONTINUE TO CRACK. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, I KNOW OF ONE OTHER LOCAL DISTRICT THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HEARD THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS. BLUEBIRD IS BECOMING MORE RELUCTANT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ROOF STRUCTURE ON THESE BUSES, ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT "WE" HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE CARPENTAR BUSES.*AK
FLEX FUEL LINE FROM RIGHT REAR TANK TO STEEL LINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS, OF FUEL, UNABLE TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL DUE TO A LACK OF PARTS. (QCAW)
Safety Rating for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS.
Investigation RQ98010 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Open
Opened:
BRAIDED FUEL (CNG) HOSE FAILURES
Other Model Years of the BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS
- 1992 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 1 complaint
- 1993 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 10 complaints
- 1995 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 12 complaints
- 1996 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 9 complaints
- 1997 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS (current)
- 1998 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 3 complaints
- 2000 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 3 complaints
- 2001 BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS — 2 complaints
Other BLUE BIRD Models
- BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN — 222 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD TC2000 — 38 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD BLUE BIRD — 27 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD VISION — 24 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL — 20 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD WANDERLODGE M450 LXI — 17 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD SBCV — 12 total complaints
- BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS — 9 total complaints