2001 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN Recalls (14)

Campaign:
00V245000 on 08/29/2000
Component:
Steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufactured:
02/09/1999 - 08/23/2000
Affected:
1,581
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. these buses could have improperly installed or missing pinch bolts in the steering shaft assemblies.
Consequence:
This can result in disengagement of the steering slip shaft assembly and loss of steering.
Correction:
Owners will be provided with installation instructions and new replacement bolts and locking nuts for the steering shaft assemblies.
Notes:
Owner notification began september 6, 2000. owners 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 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V279004 on 01/25/2001
Component:
Service brakes, air:antilock
Manufactured:
12/31/1998 - 12/14/2000
Affected:
1,269
Defect:
Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with meritor wabco phase 1, d-version antilock brake system (abs), fail to comply to the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." an internal diagnostic system in the abs may not detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap. such a condition could possibly occur during (1) original assembly or (2) subsequent wheel end service.
Consequence:
Failure of the electronic control unit to detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap can result in the loss of antilock braking function on the wheel(s) where the air gap exists, increasing the risk of a crash.
Correction:
The abs ecu will be removed and replaced or the ecu will be reprogrammed.
Notes:
Owner notification began february 12, 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 . also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
01V060000 on 02/28/2001
Component:
Service brakes, air:slack adjusters
Manufactured:
01/27/2000 - 10/01/2000
Affected:
460
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with a combination spicer j230 rear axle, spring suspension, and crewson brunner automatic slack adjusters. the crewson brunner slack adjuster contacts a u-bolt mounting bracket when a combination of the listed components are installed. the combination does not allow for full extension of the slack adjuster when brakes are applied.
Consequence:
This can cause a potential for reduced braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Correction:
Dealers will install modified u-bolt brackets that will provide the needed clearance. owner notification began march 15, 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 1-912-825-2021.
Notes:
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
01V191000 on 06/13/2001
Component:
Electrical system:wiring
Manufactured:
05/31/1995 - 05/30/2001
Affected:
5,631
Defect:
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.
Consequence:
This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r01ff.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
01V320000 on 10/09/2001
Component:
Service brakes, air:drum:chamber
Manufactured:
02/13/2001 - 10/03/2001
Affected:
1,500
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. insufficient torque on the arvin-meritor air brake chamber mounting nuts can allow the nuts to loosen over time.
Consequence:
This condition could reduce braking of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.
Correction:
Dealers will inspect the torque values on each brake chamber nut and tighten to specifications. owner notification began november 16, 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.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r01fk.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
01V338000 on 11/04/2001
Component:
Suspension
Manufactured:
09/08/1998 - 10/10/2001
Affected:
2,692
Defect:
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with hendrickson rear air suspension. inadequate tightening of the 5/8" bolts on the rear air suspension hanger bolts and on rear axle torque arm axle seat studs.
Consequence:
Insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the 5/8" grade 8-hanger bolts. in addition, axle spring seat fasteners will be checked for proper tightness and, if needed, tightened to specifications. owner notification began january 18, 2002. 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 1-478-822-2242.
Notes:
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).
Campaign:
02V160002 on 09/04/2002
Component:
Seat belts:front:retractor
Manufactured:
05/12/2000 - 06/24/2002
Affected:
58
Defect:
On certain school and transit buses equipped with passenger seat belts with retractors, the cover halves for the retractable portion of the belt can separate completely and release the seat belt connector. if this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury. the seat belt supplier, am-safe, will provide a snap on "over-cover" to owners to prevent the seat belt cover from separating.
Consequence:
if this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury.
Correction:
Owners will be provided a snap-on "over-cover" to prevent the seat belt cover from separating. owner notification is expected to begin on or about september 27, 2002. owners who do not receive the free remedy 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).
Campaign:
03V362000 on 10/07/2003
Component:
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Manufactured:
09/30/2002 - 08/15/2003
Affected:
233
Defect:
On certain rear engine (a3re) school buses, the type and location of the fasteners used to retain the seat belt in the last row of seats does not conform to blue bird engineering specifications.
Consequence:
This installation may not adequately retain seat belts in the event of a severe crash.
Correction:
Blue bird will provide its distributors and owners the parts and instructions to install the correct fasteners free of charge. owner notification is expected to begin november 20, 2003. owners who do not receive the parts and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r03hc.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
03V364000 on 10/09/2003
Component:
Seats
Manufactured:
08/02/2000 - 08/25/2003
Affected:
3,825
Defect:
On certain school buses equipped with optional seat belts or seat belt "ready" seats, some belts were installed with only two bolts rather than the required three (3) bolts.
Consequence:
These seats could detach from the wall side attachment points in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Correction:
Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to install the missing bolt free of charge. owner notification is expected to on november 3, 2003. 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 1-478-822-2242.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r03hb.also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
03V363000 on 10/22/2003
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
10/01/1998 - 08/21/2003
Affected:
8,088
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.
Correction:
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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 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).
Campaign:
05V062000 on 02/27/2005
Component:
Fuel system, diesel
Affected:
18,891
Defect:
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.
Consequence:
Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Campaign:
05V152000 on 04/14/2005
Component:
Vehicle speed control
Affected:
486
Defect:
Certain 2001 through 2005 all american, commercial series, and q-bus school and transit buses equipped with john deere 8.1 cng engines. the subject buses equipped with the john deere engines may surge inappropriately due to erractic operation of the air throttle if the engine is taken from full to zero load.
Consequence:
Unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.
Correction:
John deere will notify blue bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-jd-engine.
Notes:
Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Campaign:
05V382000 on 08/30/2005
Component:
Electrical system:battery
Manufactured:
01/08/2001 - 06/17/2005
Affected:
5,863
Defect:
Certain 2001 through 2006 my blue bird all american, tc2000, and vision transit school buses manufactured between january 5, 2001, and july 15, 2005. these buses are equipped with a battery disconnect switch that has connections that may be loose on the battery switch studs creating the potential for the bus to shut down while in operation.
Consequence:
Should the bus shut down while in operation, a vehicle crash could occur.
Correction:
Blue bird will notify its owners and instruct them on how to repair the switch. the recall began on october 19 , 2005. owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Notes:
Blue bird recall no. r05ka.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

2001 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN TSBs (5)

Bulletin:
SB-S0701
Component:
061200 engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Summary:
Blue bird bus: re-issue service update engine coolants. the cooling system on the buses be properly maintained and monitored to insure proper operation of your cooling system. *pe
Bulletin:
SU-S-0706
Component:
220000 seats
Summary:
Blue bird: information is being provided regarding maintenance for vehicles equipped with aluminum seat floor tracks. *pe
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.
Bulletin:
SM1608
Component:
355200 equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Summary:
New blue bird support center - technical bus support: dealer memo to announce the new on-line blue bird support center for technical bus support requests.

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