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2003 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

2002 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

2002 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2002 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2001 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

2001 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal

Consequence of Defect

on certain motor coaches/motor homes equipped with electronic throttle control/accelerator pedals supplied by williams controls industries, the weld attaching the clevis to the plate has insufficient penetration and could allow the clevis to separate from the plate.

Corrective Action

if the clevis separated from the plate while the vehicle was in use, the vehicle would return to idle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace these pedals. all vehicles have been inspected and corrected.

2001 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2001 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2000 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

2000 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Service Brakes, Air

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

the absence of the valve and secondary control line could cause increased stopping distances.

Recall Notes

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.

2000 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

2000 Blue Bird Ltc 40

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.

2000 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

if this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Service Brakes, Air

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

the absence of the valve and secondary control line could cause increased stopping distances.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: transit buses. the fasteners used to attach parcel racks to body structure may become dislodged allowing the racks to fall without warning.

Corrective Action

if the parcel racks fell, a passenger could be injured.

Recall Notes

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

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.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

this condition could increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will be provided with instructions for inspecting the brake s-cam and if found incorrect, instructions for correction of the s-cam installation.

1999 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Equipment:Other:Labels

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

in the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

Recall Notes

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Service Brakes, Air

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

the absence of the valve and secondary control line could cause increased stopping distances.

Recall Notes

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: transit buses. the fasteners used to attach parcel racks to body structure may become dislodged allowing the racks to fall without warning.

Corrective Action

if the parcel racks fell, a passenger could be injured.

Recall Notes

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

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.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

this condition could increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will be provided with instructions for inspecting the brake s-cam and if found incorrect, instructions for correction of the s-cam installation.

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Other

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

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.

Recall Notes

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.

1997 Blue Bird Ltc 40

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.

1997 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

this condition could increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will be provided with instructions for inspecting the brake s-cam and if found incorrect, instructions for correction of the s-cam installation.

1996 Blue Bird Ltc 40

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

this condition could increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

owners will be provided with instructions for inspecting the brake s-cam and if found incorrect, instructions for correction of the s-cam installation.