Lemon Law Center

certain 2001 through 2005 all american, commercial series, and q-bus school and transit buses equipped with john deere 8.1 cng engines. the subject buses equipped with the john deere engines may surge inappropriately due to erractic operation of the air throttle if the engine is taken from full to zero load.

Corrective Action

unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.

Recall Notes

john deere will notify blue bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-jd-engine.

2002 Blue Bird Q-Bus

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.

2002 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.

Recall Notes

john deere will notify blue bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-jd-engine.

2001 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. owner notification began july 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.

2001 Blue Bird Q-Bus

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 Q-Bus

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school buses equipped with hendrickson rear air suspension. inadequate tightening of the 5/8" bolts on the rear air suspension hanger bolts and on rear axle torque arm axle seat studs.

Corrective Action

insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the 5/8" grade 8-hanger bolts. in addition, axle spring seat fasteners will be checked for proper tightness and, if needed, tightened to specifications. owner notification began january 18, 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 Q-Bus

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.

2001 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.

Recall Notes

john deere will notify blue bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-jd-engine.

2000 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

2000 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with electronic engines and felsted electronic accelerator pedals. the return springs can break on the accelerator pedals that are equipped with stainless steel or electroplated music wire return springs.

Corrective Action

this condition could cause the pedal to go to full throttle if both return springs break, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

replacement accelerator pedals equipped with return springs manufactured of music wire with one additional coil on each spring and with an organic coating, eliminating electroplating will be installed.

2000 Blue Bird Q-Bus

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 Q-Bus

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

2000 Blue Bird Q-Bus

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 Q-Bus

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 Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this condition could cause the pedal to go to full throttle if both return springs break, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

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

Consequence of Defect

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.

1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control

Consequence of Defect

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 Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

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

Consequence of Defect

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.

1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control

Consequence of Defect

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 Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit forward and rear engine buses equipped with cummins isb and isc engines. the wiring harness to the combustion air intake grid heater can chafe against the engine and wear through causing an electrical short in the grid heater power supply. the short causes the fusible link to fail.

Corrective Action

when the fusible link fails, insulation on the fusible link can ignite, creating a fire risk in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

owners will be advised to replace the original grid heater power supply harness with fusible links with a new grid heater power supply harness equipped with fuses. in addition, a clamp will be added to support the harness away from the engine components.

1997 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

1997 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control

Consequence of Defect

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.

1996 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. the 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

Corrective Action

this condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Recall Notes

1996 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Power Train

Consequence of Defect

oversized rotors were installed in the powertrain drive motors in these buses.

Corrective Action

when the bus is in service and the oversized rotor inside the electric powertrain motor becomes heated, the rotor expands causing the motor to become sluggish, stall and could seize, failing completely.

Recall Notes

northrup-grumman will perform the modification to these powertrain drive motors.

1996 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: school buses equipped with isringhausen seats in the driver's position. two welds located on the back rest adjustment side of the seat frame did not meet the manufacturer's specifications.

Corrective Action

if these welds were not to specification, back rest loads could cause the welds to fail. the back rest would disengage from the seat frame allowing loss of support to the driver's torso and possibly causing loss of control of the vehicle.

Recall Notes

isringhausen is conducting the owner notification and remedy campaign for this recall. dealers will inspect these seats and replace the seat frame assembly.

1995 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Steering:Linkages

Consequence of Defect

quench cracks occurred in the pitman arm pinch bolt during the bolt manufacturing process, causing a weakness in these bolts.

Corrective Action

these cracks can cause the bolts to fracture resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

blue bird will provide replacement bolts for all affected units.

1994 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Steering:Linkages

Consequence of Defect

quench cracks occurred in the pitman arm pinch bolt during the bolt manufacturing process, causing a weakness in these bolts.

Corrective Action

these cracks can cause the bolts to fracture resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

blue bird will provide replacement bolts for all affected units.

1993 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air

Consequence of Defect

the front brake air lines are incorrectly routed through the pressure protection valve at the auxiliary wet tank. this results in lack of air pressure to the front brakes when the air pressure in the auxiliary wet tank drops below 65 p.s.i., resulting in inoperable front brakes.

Corrective Action

when there is no front brake application, stoppingdistance increases, and there is an increased risk of accident.

Recall Notes

correctly reroute the brake lines.

1993 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber

Consequence of Defect

an incorrect size brake chamber may have been installed on the front and/or rear brake assemblies which could affect the brake balance and stopping distance.

Corrective Action

brake imbalance may cause loss of vehicle control during brake applications; increased stopping distance or brake application could result in loss of control and an accident.

Recall Notes

bus owners will be provided with instructions to inspect their vehicles and provide blue bird with certain information. blue bird will review the information and, where needed, will forward replacement brake chambers along with replacement instructions to the vehicle owners. brake chamber replacement will be performed by the vehicle owner or a qualified repair facility.

1993 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Consequence of Defect

the hydraulic hoses which interconnect with the hydraulic pump, hydraulic radiator fan motor and power steering gear have an undersized wire mesh core which results in an improper hose end crimp. the improper crimp can cause a leak, emptying the power steering hydraulic fluid reservoir, resulting in loss of power steering assist.

Corrective Action

complete loss of power steering assist can cause loss ofvehicle control and result in an accident.

Recall Notes

owners are being asked to inspect hose for the date code 3-1q93 which is embossed on the hose cover every 18 inches. replacement hoses will be provided. owners can handle the repair themselves or have a blue bird distributor assist them. owners will be reimbursed for the labor charges following completion of the recall work.

1992 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

when there is no front brake application, stoppingdistance increases, and there is an increased risk of accident.

Recall Notes

correctly reroute the brake lines.

1992 Blue Bird Q-Bus

Component

Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber

Consequence of Defect

an incorrect size brake chamber may have been installed on the front and/or rear brake assemblies which could affect the brake balance and stopping distance.

Corrective Action

brake imbalance may cause loss of vehicle control during brake applications; increased stopping distance or brake application could result in loss of control and an accident.