Lemon Law Center

on certain front engine school and transit buses equipped with hydraulic brakes, the rear hydraulic brake hose could contact the frame rail and abrade, allowing brake fluid leakage.

Corrective Action

if this occurs, vehicle braking could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the rear brake hose to frame rail clearance and reposition the brake hose clamps at the axle to ensure adequate clearance. any chafed brake hoses will be replaced. owner notification began december 12, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

2003 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

on certain front engine school and transit buses equipped with hydraulic brakes, the rear hydraulic brake hose could contact the frame rail and abrade, allowing brake fluid leakage.

Corrective Action

if this occurs, vehicle braking could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2002 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses. insufficient torque on the arvin-meritor air brake chamber mounting nuts can allow the nuts to loosen over time.

Corrective Action

this condition could reduce braking of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the torque values on each brake chamber nut and tighten to specifications. owner notification began november 16, 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.

2001 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses. insufficient torque on the arvin-meritor air brake chamber mounting nuts can allow the nuts to loosen over time.

Corrective Action

this condition could reduce braking of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.

Recall Notes

2001 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Slack Adjusters

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with a combination spicer j230 rear axle, spring suspension, and crewson brunner automatic slack adjusters. the crewson brunner slack adjuster contacts a u-bolt mounting bracket when a combination of the listed components are installed. the combination does not allow for full extension of the slack adjuster when brakes are applied.

Corrective Action

this can cause a potential for reduced braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install modified u-bolt brackets that will provide the needed clearance. owner notification began march 15, 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 1-912-825-2021.

2000 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix abs anti-lock braking system. the primary and secondary brake treadle valve air lines were installed incorrectly at the bendix r12dc relay valve.

Corrective Action

with the brake system installed incorrectly, future maintenance might be affected by this inconsistency, causing the brakes to be installed incorrect, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.

2000 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Slack Adjusters

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this can cause a potential for reduced braking effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2000 Blue Bird Commercial

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.