1998 Blue Bird Micro Bird Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V020000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R99CK
Manufactured Begin Date: August 7th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: January 18th, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: February 18th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30-INCH AND 34-INCH SEATS AND BARRIERS OR 36, 39, AND 45-INCH SEATS AND BARRIERS WITH OFFSET LEGS INSTALLED IN THE FIRST BODY SECTION BEHIND THE DRIVER. WHEN NARROW SEATS AND BARRIERS (30" AND 34") OR SEATS AND BARRIERS WITH OFFSET LEGS ARE INSTALLED, ADDITIONAL FLOOR REINFORCEMENT IS ADDED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THIS REINFORCEMENT INTERFERES WITH AND CHAFES THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER HOSE.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CHAFING COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL PLACE A SHIELD OVER THE ADDITIONAL FLOOR REINFORCEMENT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER HOSE FROM CHAFING.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 18, 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 1-912-825-2021. 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: 99V018000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R99CN
Manufactured Begin Date: April 2nd, 1997
Manufactured End Date: January 4th, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: July 29th, 1999

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V176000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 7th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: July 26th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: August 11th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE BOLTS RETAINING THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO DISLODGE.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SLIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF THE TANK HITTING THE GROUND, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BOLTS AND NUTS IN THE FUEL TANK RETAINING STRAPS WITH NEW BOLTS AND NUTS THAT WILL BE PROVIDED.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 11, 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE NUTS AND BOLTS 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: 98V108000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: May 2nd, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: July 2nd, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A POSITIVE HOLD OPEN DEVICE (RETAINER) FOR THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence Summary:
THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN UNTIL IT WAS RELEASED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR RETAINER. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE RETAINER IF THEY SO DESIRE.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE KIT AND INSTALLATION 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).