1996 Blue Bird Vcta Recalls

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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).

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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: 95V150000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Date of Owner Notification: September 12th, 1995

Defect Summary:
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 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 COULD BE DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.

Recall 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.