1988 Blue Bird Tc2000 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V018000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: R99CN
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1987
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: 97V197000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: January 5th, 1988
Manufactured End Date: April 6th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: March 10th, 1998

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED, LEAKING FUEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
BLUE BIRD WILL SHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND MODIFICATION KITS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSES.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V073000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: April 23rd, 1988
Manufactured End Date: April 22nd, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: August 21st, 1996

Defect Summary:
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V136000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: June 1st, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: July 19th, 1995

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
THESE PLATES CAN DROP TO THE ROADWAY BECOMING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 95V090000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: June 30th, 1995

Defect Summary:
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 93V032000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: March 17th, 1993

Defect Summary:
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT: HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V115000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: August 6th, 1992

Defect Summary:
A 150 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER, OPTION 4362, HAS BEEN WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH A STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT, THEREBY NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED PROTECTION.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR SHORT-CIRCUIT, INADEQUATE CIRCUITPROTECTION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Corrective Summary:
THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT MUST BE REMOVED.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL AMERICAN AND TC2000 REAR ENGINE BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V014000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: December 17th, 1990

Defect Summary:
UNDERSIZED CRIMP ON WIRE FROM HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO DIMMER SWITCH CREATES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND CAN CAUSE A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRING SYSTEM.

Consequence Summary:
A SHORT COULD RESULT IN HEADLIGHT LOSS WHICH PRESENTS APOTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE DIMMER SWITCH WITH NEW 14 GAUGE WIRE WITH PROPERLY CRIMPED CONNECTIONS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V099000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1989
Date of Owner Notification: June 1st, 1990

Defect Summary:
LOCK PINS IN STEERING WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY MY SHEAR OFF, ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN.

Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPAIR USING A POSITIVE LOCKING METHOD.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STEERING WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V011000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1989
Date of Owner Notification: March 28th, 1990

Defect Summary:
THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER SEPARATOR IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE CHASSIS FRAME CROSS MEMBER WHICH COULD DEFORM AND DISLODGE THE BOWL OF THE SEPARATOR IN AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence Summary:
FUEL SPILLAGE DURING AND AFTER A CRASH, IN EXCESS OF LIMIT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301, COULD CAUSE A FIRE NEAR A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Corrective Summary:
RELOCATE FUEL FILTER - SEPARATOR TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITH CROSSMEMBER IN ANY CRASH.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL FILTER - SEPARATOR / FMVSS 301.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES WITH 132 INCH AND 146 INCH WHEELBASES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 89V202000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1989
Date of Owner Notification: May 15th, 1990

Defect Summary:
FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY CONTAIN CRACKED BRAKE DRUMS DUE TO IMPROPER FIT BETWEEN THE WHEEL HUBS AND THE BRAKE DRUMS.

Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BUS BRAKING CONTROL AND RESULTIN AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE DRUMS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FRONT BRAKE DRUMS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.