1994 BLUE BIRD TC2000 Recalls (15)

Campaign:
94V089000 on 05/31/1994
Component:
Service brakes, air:supply:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufactured:
10/31/1993 - 02/28/1994
Affected:
74
Defect:
Air brake supply lines are reversed at the brake treadle valve. this can cause the modulated spring brake feature on the rear axle brake to be inoperable. in the event the rear brake supply reservoir were lost, this could result in loss of brakes without proper function of the modulated spring brake action of the rear brake axle to stop the vehicle.
Consequence:
Loss of the secondary spring brake function could result in a vehicle accident if the primary air brakes fail.
Correction:
Vehicle owners will be instructed to swap supply lines at the treadle valve to obtain the correct plumbing, and will be reimbursed for labor expenses.
Notes:
System: brakes; air systems; lines.vehicle description: transit buses; models tc2000 rear engine, q-bus, and commercial series.note: if you do not receive instructions on how to affect the needed correction to the air brake supply lines, or are not reimbursed for your labor expenses, please call blue bird service center at 1-912-825-9608. also, contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at1-800-424-9393.
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:
95V136000 on 07/26/1995
Component:
Structure:frame and members
Manufactured:
12/31/1987 - 05/31/1995
Affected:
416
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
System: structure; frame; members and body.vehicle description: forward engine transit buses with 132" wheelbase, bodymodels 2409 or 2504, equipped with air brakes.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:
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:
95E003007 on 09/26/1995
Component:
Service brakes, air:supply:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufactured:
09/30/1993 - 11/30/1993
Affected:
4
Defect:
Air system blockage in the air dryer occurs degrading the moisture removing capabilities of the dryer when the vehicle is operated in a cold environment and moisture accumulates and freezes in the air dryer or in the line between the dryer and the air system reservoir. the air dryer can become overpressurized causing the air dryer cartridge to separate from the mounting base.
Consequence:
If the air dryer separates from the base, the cartridgecan separate sufficiently enough to cause personal injury or property damage.
Correction:
Dealers will equip air systems with a pressure relief valve to be located between the compressor and the air dryer. this pressure relief valve is intended to vent if excessive pressure develops in the air dryer.
Notes:
System: brakes; air dryer. vehicle description: school buses equipped with rockwell wabco system saver"1000" or system saver "twin" air dryer. 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, 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:
96V068000 on 04/21/1996
Component:
Service brakes, air:drum:chamber
Manufactured:
12/31/1992 - 12/31/1994
Affected:
108
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
System: brakes; air; drum and shoe systems; chamber; brake. vehicle description: school buses equipped with option 4561 air suspension. 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:
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:
96V126001 on 07/24/1996
Component:
Seats
Manufactured:
08/31/1993 - 03/31/1996
Affected:
11,371
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.
Correction:
Dealers will repair these pedestals with a newly designed pedestal bracket kit.
Notes:
Owner notification began july 15, 1996.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 1-912-825-9608. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Campaign:
97V197000 on 11/19/1997
Component:
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Manufactured:
01/04/1988 - 04/05/1998
Affected:
16,338
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.
Correction:
Blue bird will ship instructions and modification kits to the owners of these buses.
Notes:
Owner notification is expected to begin march 10, 1998.owners who do not receive the free modification kits and instructions 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:
99V018000 on 01/31/1999
Component:
Seats
Manufactured:
08/31/1987 - 01/03/1999
Affected:
41,260
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.
Correction:
Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to strengthen the passenger seat attachment at the wall side.
Notes:
Owner notification began april 28 and july 29, 1999. owners who do not receive the free parts and instructions 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:
00V219000 on 08/10/2000
Component:
Structure:body
Manufactured:
10/31/1993 - 12/05/1999
Affected:
25,839
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.
Correction:
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.
Notes:
Owner notification began december 18, 2000. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Campaign:
00V321000 on 10/25/2000
Component:
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices
Affected:
134
Defect:
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with compressed natural gas engines (cng). the original pressure relief devices may vent unexpectedly.
Consequence:
Compressed natural gas leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire or explosion.
Correction:
Dealers will replace the pressure relief devices.
Notes:
Owner notification began october 12, 2000.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. also 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:
08/30/1990 - 07/11/1999
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).

1994 BLUE BIRD TC2000 TSBs (2)

Bulletin:
S98BT98
Component:
061000 engine and engine cooling:engine
Summary:
Vehicle experiencing turbo pipe breaking at top flange. *yc
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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