Recalls: 1993 - BLUE BIRD - ALL AMERICAN

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Recalls

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V321000 - FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
  Recall Date: 10/26/2000

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS ENGINES (CNG). THE ORIGINAL PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES MAY VENT UNEXPECTEDLY.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
  
  Remedy:
  DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 93V203000 - STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
  Recall Date: 12/16/1993

  Summary:
  THE HYDRAULIC HOSES WHICH INTERCONNECT WITH THE HYDRAULIC PUMP, HYDRAULIC RADIATOR FAN MOTOR AND POWER STEERING GEAR HAVE AN UNDERSIZED WIRE MESH CORE WHICH RESULTS IN AN IMPROPER HOSE END CRIMP. THE IMPROPER CRIMP CAN CAUSE A LEAK, EMPTYING THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC FLUID RESERVOIR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAN CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
  
  Remedy:
  OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT HOSE FOR THE DATE CODE 3-1Q93 WHICH IS EMBOSSED ON THE HOSE COVER EVERY 18 INCHES. REPLACEMENT HOSES WILL BE PROVIDED. OWNERS CAN HANDLE THE REPAIR THEMSELVES OR HAVE A BLUE BIRD DISTRIBUTOR ASSIST THEM. OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR CHARGES FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE RECALL WORK.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 95V051000 - AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
  Recall Date: 03/23/1995

  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."
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  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.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 95V090000 - STRUCTURE:BODY
  Recall Date: 05/18/1995

  Summary:
  PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  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. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE CRIMPED SECURING THE VERTICAL SECTION OF THE PRIMARY TUBLAR HANDRAIL AT THE FLOOR LINE.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 96V073000 - STRUCTURE:BODY
  Recall Date: 05/08/1996

  Summary:
  PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  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.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 96V112000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
  Recall Date: 07/08/1996

  Summary:
  THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
  
  Remedy:
  BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 98V153000 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  Recall Date: 07/09/1998

  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.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
  
  Remedy:
  OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.