1995 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN Recalls (11)

Campaign:
95V036000 on 02/28/1995
Component:
Steering:linkages
Manufactured:
02/28/1994 - 12/31/1994
Affected:
2,714
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.
Correction:
Blue bird will provide replacement bolts for all affected units.
Notes:
System: steering; linkages; arm; pitman.vehicle description: transit buses.note: if you have not received the replacement bolts within a reasonable time, contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
95V051000 on 03/22/1995
Component:
Air bags:knee bolster
Manufactured:
06/30/1992 - 12/31/1994
Affected:
2,309
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.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the incorrect pad with the correct 14.5" knee pad.
Notes:
System: interior systems; seat; material; fmvss no. 222. vehicle description: school and transit buses.note: if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time, please contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
95V090000 on 05/17/1995
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
02/29/1980 - 04/30/1995
Affected:
27,189
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
System: equipment; handrails at bus entryways.vehicle description: school buses equipped with tubular handrails.note: this campaign supercedes blue bird's recall campaign 93v-032.000.if your vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and the remedy is not provided free of charge within a reasonable time, please ontact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
95V150000 on 08/20/1995
Component:
Structure:body
Affected:
2,557
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.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the flat split floor line bracket with a round tubular bracket.
Notes:
System: equipment; other pieces.vehicle description: forward and rear engine transit and school buses; conventional and wide body chassis.note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonabletime, should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
95V190000 on 10/17/1995
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
05/31/1995 - 05/31/1995
Affected:
55
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
Correction:
Dealers will inspect and repair with correct adhesive if the sealer was not cured properly.
Notes:
System: structure; body; fmvss no. 221.vehicle description: transit and school buses.note: 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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
96V012000 on 01/24/1996
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
07/31/1995 - 11/30/1995
Affected:
327
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 the handrails at the 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.
Correction:
Dealers will inspect and relocate the bracket as necessary. owners can inspect and relocate the bracket is so desired.
Notes:
System: equipment; other pieces. vehicle description: forward engine school and transit buses equipped with outward opening doors. note: 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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
96V023000 on 02/04/1996
Component:
Visibility:glass, side/rear
Manufactured:
04/30/1995 - 10/31/1995
Affected:
117
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.
Correction:
Dealers will install a new cam lock plate.
Notes:
System: visual; glass; manual window cranks; fmvss no. 217. vehicle description: school and transit bus, forward and rear engine vehicles, equipped with rear center emergency window options 0177-00 and 3387-00. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized service and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
96V073000 on 05/07/1996
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
04/22/1988 - 04/21/1996
Affected:
18,000
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
System: equipment; handrails at bus entryways. vehicle description: school buses equipped with forward handrails. note: owner 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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
96V112000 on 07/07/1996
Component:
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Manufactured:
03/31/1977 - 07/14/1996
Affected:
11,222
Defect:
These buses fail to comply with fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity."
Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, fuel spillage can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Correction:
Blue bird is distributing modification kits which includes new fasteners for owner or dealer installation.
Notes:
Vehicle description: rear engine school buses. owner notification: owner notification is expected to begin january 20, 1997.note: 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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
98V153000 on 07/08/1998
Component:
Vehicle speed control
Manufactured:
08/31/1991 - 06/29/1998
Affected:
1,896
Defect:
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.
Consequence:
The throttle cable would not return to the idle position, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Correction:
Owners will be contacted and advised to disconnect the hand throttle cable until replacement parts are available.
Notes:
Owner notification began august 24, 1998. owners who do not receive the free modification kit within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
02V185000 on 07/22/2002
Component:
Equipment:other:labels
Manufactured:
11/29/1995 - 04/22/2002
Affected:
408
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

1995 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN TSBs (2)

Bulletin:
SB-S-70-LJ
Component:
062100 engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly
Summary:
Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. information on excessive cycling of engine cooling fan and shutter and how to install thermo switches for cooling system and charge air system. *pe
Bulletin:
SM1601
Component:
355200 equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Summary:
Blue bird troubleshooting guides: blue bird announcement of the addition of troubleshooting guides for assisting in the service of the blue bird products. these troubleshooting guides are available on the vantage website.

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