1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V230000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R02GF
Manufactured Begin Date: November 21st, 1997
Manufactured End Date: July 30th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: September 20th, 2002

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN COACHES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL RESTROOM FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE PUSHOUT WINDOW LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AT THE REAR OF THE BUS, IS SUBSTANTIALLY OBSTRUCTED BY THE RESTROOM AND YET IT IS LABELED AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY EXIT THE VEHICLE.

Corrective Summary:
DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE THE LABEL IDENTIFYING THE WINDOW AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242, IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V197000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R02GD
Manufactured Begin Date: August 24th, 1998
Manufactured End Date: July 18th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: July 24th, 2002

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN TOUR TYPE COACHES EQUIPPED WITH PARCEL RACKS, IRREGULARITIES IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE FASTENERS USED TO RETAIN THE PARCEL RACKS TO THE COACH STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN THE FASTENERS LOOSENING ALLOWING THE PARCEL RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT THE FASTENERS BECOME DISLODGED AND THE RACKS SHOULD FALL WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Summary:
DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO IMMEDIATELY INSTALL INTERIM REPAIR BOLTS THROUGH THE COACH ROOF BOW STRUCTURE ON THE AISLE SIDE OF THE FIRST TWO PARCEL RACK SECTIONS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE PARCEL RACKS ON ALL AFFECTED COACHES. FINAL REPAIRS CAN THEN BE COMPLETED AT A LATER DATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 24, 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.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V154000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R02GA
Manufactured Begin Date: April 30th, 1998
Manufactured End Date: April 18th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: July 31st, 2002

Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TOUR COACHES, A 'CHECK TRANS' WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS REQUIRED BY ALLISON TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WAS OMITTED. IN THE EVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONS (LOOSES POWER OR SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT), THE COMPUTER WILL STOP ACCEPTING INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR UNIT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE HELD IN THE LAST VALID RANGE SELECTED. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE SELECTED DISPLAY ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR WILL BE BLANK OR A DASH, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT A MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.

Consequence Summary:
THE DRIVER MAY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND REMAIN IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A "CHECK TRANS" WARNING LIGHT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 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.

Recall Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V076000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R01EV
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1998
Manufactured End Date: March 6th, 2000
Date of Owner Notification: April 27th, 2001

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE AN R12-DC VALVE OR SECONDARY CONTROL LINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Consequence Summary:
THE ABSENCE OF THE VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE REQUIRED VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27, 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.

Recall Notes:
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V044003
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R01ET
Manufactured Begin Date: August 3rd, 1999
Manufactured End Date: January 12th, 2000
Date of Owner Notification: March 30th, 2001

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.

Consequence Summary:
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.

Recall Notes:
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V162000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R00DX
Manufactured Begin Date: October 15th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: May 31st, 2000
Date of Owner Notification: June 14th, 2000

Defect 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.

Consequence Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 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 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V330000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 24th, 1998
Manufactured End Date: November 11th, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: December 17th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THE FASTENERS USED TO ATTACH PARCEL RACKS TO BODY STRUCTURE MAY BECOME DISLODGED ALLOWING THE RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE PARCEL RACKS FELL, A PASSENGER COULD BE INJURED.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES, BY REMOVING THE PARCEL RACK, ADDING A REINFORCEMENT ANGLE OVER JOINT, AND RE-INSTALLING THE PARCEL RACK USING RIVETS AND PK SCREWS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 1999.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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V162000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R99DA
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1996
Manufactured End Date: May 31st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: July 28th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL TAG AXLES. SOME OF THE RIDEWELL TAG AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES HAVE THE BRAKE S-CAMS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING THE BRAKE S-CAM AND IF FOUND INCORRECT, INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECTION OF THE S-CAM INSTALLATION.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 1999.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE INSPECTION AND CORRECTION INSTRUCTIONS 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).