Recalls: 1998 - BLUE BIRD - ALL AMERICAN

---

Recalls

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V051000 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  Recall Date: 02/28/2000

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE TREADLE VALVE AIR LINES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, FUTURE MAINTENANCE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS INCONSISTENCY, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  
  Remedy:
  DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V071000 - STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
  Recall Date: 03/13/2000

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT (PDU) CABLES ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED OR ROUTED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STEERING PITMAN ARM.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  THE CABLE CAN CHAFE RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
  
  Remedy:
  OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH STEP BY STEP REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FOR RE-ROUTING THE WIRES.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V162000 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL
  Recall Date: 06/16/2000

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX AIR BRAKES. BENDIX CHANGED THE INTERNAL DESIGN OF THE QR1C RELAY VALVE BY ADDING A HOLE IN THE INTERNAL DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM ALIGNS WITH THE HOLE IN THE VALVE BODY, THE BRAKE APPLICATION TIME INCREASES.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, DRIVER ACTIVATES THE PARKING BRAKE BUT REMOVES FOOT FROM THE THREADLE VALVE, THE BUS COULD ROLL BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED.
  
  Remedy:
  DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 00V232005 - SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
  Recall Date: 09/26/2000

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
  
  Remedy:
  DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 01V191000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
  Recall Date: 06/14/2001

  Summary:
  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REAR MOUNTED ENGINES. THE 12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE(S) MAY BE CHAFFED BY HOSES, HARNESSES, FRAME COMPONENTS, OR CLAMPS.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
  
  Remedy:
  DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE 12-VOLT POWER CABLE(S) FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. 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 1-912-822-2242.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V185000 - EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
  Recall Date: 07/23/2002

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

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 03V085000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
  Recall Date: 03/19/2003

  Summary:
  ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB 6 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACE OR MOUNTING HARDWARE CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK WHICH WILL ALLOW THE ALTERNATOR TO DROP ONTO THE ENGINE.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  IN THIS EVENT, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE MAY EXIST.
  
  Remedy:
  CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

• NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 05V062000 - FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
  Recall Date: 02/28/2005

  Summary:
  CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2002 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, TC2000 SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, AND COMMERCIAL SERIES BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
  
  Manufacturer that filed the Recall:
  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
  
  Consequence:
  SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
  
  Remedy:
  CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY CUMMINS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.

• 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.