1995 BLUE BIRD TC2000 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Recall 03V363000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

November 20, 2003 | 8,088 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Remedy: 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...

Recall 02V185000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

August 29, 2002 | 408 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Recall 00V219000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

December 18, 2000 | 25,839 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO MEET THE 60 PERCENT JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ROOF MAY NOT BE SUPPORTED SUFFICIENTLY, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY TO BUS OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO INSPECT EACH ROOF JOINT. OWNERS WILL INSTALL REPAIR RIVETS IN EACH JOINT FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF RIVETS IN EACH EXAMINED 8 INCH SECTION.

Recall 99V018000 — SEATS

July 29, 1999 | 41,260 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE WALL SIDE ATTACHING BOLTS FOR SOME OF THE PASSENGER SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE AND IN THE WRONG ATTACHING HOLE RESULTING IN WEAKENING OF THE SEAT LEDGE AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE REAR ATTACHING BOLT OF THESE SEATS COULD PULL OUT OF THE SEAT LEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.

Recall 97V197000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

March 10, 1998 | 16,338 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 60 GALLON SIDE MOUNTED FUEL TANK BARRIERS. THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED, LEAKING FUEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL SHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND MODIFICATION KITS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSES.

Recall 96V073000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

August 21, 1996 | 18,000 vehicles affected

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 96V068000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER

July 15, 1996 | 108 vehicles affected

Defect: AIR SUSPENSION TORQUE ARM CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE AIR BRAKE CHAMBER MOUNTING BRACKET RESULTING IN BROKEN S-CAM MOUNTING BRACKET.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE LINING CONTACTON THE REAR WHEEL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY VEHICLES TO INCORPORATE AN AXLE SEAT SPACER AND REPLACE THE CAM SHAFT AND CAM SHAFT BRACKET WITH A LONGER CAM SHAFT AND CAM SHAFT BRACKET ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE.

Recall 96V126001 — SEATS

July 15, 1996 | 11,371 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM DRIVER'S SEAT MODEL F222 OR BOSTRUM "ROUTEMASTER" SEAT. BLUE BIRD OPTION 2821 OR 2824. THE SEAT PEDESTALS ARE FATIGUE CRACKING ADJACENT TO THE WELD WHICH SECURES THE PEDESTAL'S UPPER PLATE TO THE UPPER, TELESCOPING PORTION OF THE ADJUSTABLE COLUMN SUPPORT.

Consequence: THE UPPER MOUNTING PLATE AND SEAT UPPER GRADUALLY BECOMES LOOSE RESULTING IN THE UPPER PLATE DETACHING FROM THE SUPPORTING COLUMN AND THE SEAT CAN FALL FROM ITS MOUNTING. THIS CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE PEDESTALS WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PEDESTAL BRACKET KIT.

Recall 96V132000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

July 13, 1996 | 32 vehicles affected

Defect: INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES OR BLEEDER VALVES AND THE "REYCO" AIR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAN OCCUR CAUSING FAILURE OF ONE OF THE HYDRAULIC FITTINGS.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC FITTINGS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Recall 96V011000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

January 11, 1996 | 307 vehicles affected

Defect: THE WRONG CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WHICH COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF THE 8-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM.

Consequence: THE 8-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE DISCHARGING PASSENGERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR AN EXITING PASSENGER BEING STRUCK BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO CHECK AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS. OWNERS CAN ALSO HAVE THESE CIRCUIT BREAKERS CHECKED AND REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER.

Recall 96V023000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

January 11, 1996 | 117 vehicles affected

Defect: THESE VEHICLES COULD HAVE A LATCH WHICH SCRAPES AN ALUMINUM TRIM PIECE INCREASING THE FORCE REQUIRED TO OPEN. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW TO USE AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CAM LOCK PLATE.

Recall 96V012000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

January 11, 1996 | 327 vehicles affected

Defect: THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ENTRANCE DOOR HANDRAIL OFF SET BRACE ATTACHED TO THE INTERIOR WALL AND THE HANDRAIL. THE ATTACHMENT POINT AT THE WALL IS INCORRECTLY POSITIONED PERMITTING THE ENTRAPMENT OF THE "CONNECTICUT NUT/STRING TEST DEVICE" BETWEEN THE UPPER EDGE OF THE BRACE AND THE LOWER EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE. PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN...

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE THE BRACKET AS NECESSARY. OWNERS CAN INSPECT AND RELOCATE THE BRACKET IS SO DESIRED.

Recall 95V190000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

October 26, 1995 | 55 vehicles affected

Defect: AN IMPROPER MIX OF ADHESIVE WAS APPLIED TO THE INTERIOR SIDE PANEL JOINTS RESULTING IN THE BUSES FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH.":

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE SIDE PANEL OF THE BUS MAY NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED FMVSS NO. 221

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR WITH CORRECT ADHESIVE IF THE SEALER WAS NOT CURED PROPERLY.

Recall 95V150000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

September 12, 1995 | 2,557 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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.

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

Recall 95V136000 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

July 19, 1995 | 416 vehicles affected

Defect: THESE UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY MADE UP OF 300 POUNDS OF 1/4" PLATE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER AND BOLTED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS IN THE REAR OVERHANG JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR BUMPER. SOME OF THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS, CORROSION, OR ICE EXPANSION.

Consequence: THESE PLATES CAN DROP TO THE ROADWAY BECOMING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MECHANICAL RETAINING DEVICE WHICH CLAMPS THE PLATES TOGETHER AND FASTENED WITH THREADED FASTENERS. BUS OWNERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REPAIRING THEIR OWN VEHICLES.

Recall 95V090000 — STRUCTURE:BODY

June 30, 1995 | 27,189 vehicles affected

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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....

Recall 95V051000 — AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

May 3, 1995 | 2,309 vehicles affected

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

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

Recall 95V036000 — STEERING:LINKAGES

March 23, 1995 | 2,714 vehicles affected

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

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

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