1996 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
6 recalls — 0 complaints — 5 TSBs
02V185000 Jul 15, 2002
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Description
CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THIS STANDARD REQUIRES SPECIFIC LABELING FOR "ENGINE START" AND "ENGINE STOP." THE WORDING OF THE LABELS ON THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence
THE OPERATOR COULD PLACE THE ENGINE SWITCH IN A POSITION OTHER THAN THAT INTENDED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
98V153000 Jul 2, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES. MOVEMENT OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE IN THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET RUBS A GROOVE IN THE BRACKET. THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THIS GROOVE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Consequence
THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.
96V180000 Sep 23, 1996
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Defect Description
THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH A CRIMPED END FITTING WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence
THE END FITTING CAN BLOW-OFF RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING CAUSING INSUFFICIENT STEERING CONTROL WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THE SUSPECT HOSES (IDENTIFIABLE BY DATE CODE) AND REPLACE HOSES AS NECESSARY.
96V112000 Jul 1, 1996
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.
96V073000 May 3, 1996
STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Description
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
95V150000 Aug 7, 1995
STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Description
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
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.
No complaints found for this vehicle.
Technical Service Bulletins — 1996 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
5 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| 062100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| 062200 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 1 |
| 355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 1 |
SM1601
Jan 14, 2016
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Blue Bird Troubleshooting Guides: Blue Bird announcement of the addition of troubleshooting guides for assisting in the service of the Blue Bird products. These troubleshooting guides are available on the Vantage website.
SB-S-70-LJ
Mar 1, 2007
062100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
BLUE BIRD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION ON EXCESSIVE CYCLING OF ENGINE COOLING FAN AND SHUTTER AND HOW TO INSTALL THERMO SWITCHES FOR COOLING SYSTEM AND CHARGE AIR SYSTEM. *PE
SB-S-70-LJ
Mar 1, 2007
062200 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
BLUE BIRD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION ON EXCESSIVE CYCLING OF ENGINE COOLING FAN AND SHUTTER AND HOW TO INSTALL THERMO SWITCHES FOR COOLING SYSTEM AND CHARGE AIR SYSTEM. *PE
No comms 2022-10
Oct 17, 2022
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There are no Manufacturer Communications in accordance with 49 CFR 579.5 to report for October 2022 for Blue Bird Body Company.
No comms 2023-12
Jan 1, 2024
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There are no Manufacturer Communications in accordance with 49 CFR 579.5 to report for December 2023 for Blue Bird Body Company.
NHTSA Safety Investigations — BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
EQ15003
Opened: Mar 16, 2015 — Closed: Jun 24, 2015
Engine Thermostat Heater Hose Failure
See the attached closing report.
PE07050
Opened: Oct 11, 2007 — Closed: Feb 1, 2008
AIR LINE DETACHING FROM DASH
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM TWO FLEETS (TOTALING SEVEN COMPLAINTS) ALLEGING THE AIR LINES CONNECTING TO THE DASH AIR GAUGE WERE LEAKING AIR AND SETTING OFF THE LOW PRESSURE AIR BUZZER. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI INTERVIEWED THE INVOLVED FLEETS... Read more
PE05028
Opened: May 25, 2005 — Closed: Sep 27, 2005
SCHOOL BUS STALLS
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED A COMPLAINT FROM A SCHOOL BUS FLEET REPORTING THAT THREE SEPARATE BUSES HAD STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THEY WERE LOADED WITH CHILDREN.REPORTEDLY, EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE MASTER BATTERY SHUT-OFF SWITCH WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING DEFECTIVE.ODI O... Read more
PE93048
Opened: May 12, 1993 — Closed: Aug 31, 1993
DOOR LATCH SYSTEMS
There is no summary currently available
PE92007
Opened: Jan 21, 1992 — Closed: Jan 27, 1992
SCHOOL BUS FIRES
There is no summary currently available
PE89136
Opened: Jul 6, 1989 — Closed: Jul 25, 1989
STEERING WHEELS LOOSE
SYNOPSIS:WHEN THE STEERING WHEELS WERE TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONTHE HUB OF THE WHEEL WOULD BIND ON THE STEERING COLUMN.OPERATORS ON THEASSEMBLY LINE CORRECTED THIS BY NOT COMPLETELY TIGHTING THE NUT ANDUSING LOC TITE TO SECURE IT.THIS HAS RESULTED IN COMPLAINTS OF LOOSESTEERING WHEELS AND ONE CASE OF... Read more
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN across all model years (1963–2019).
626
Total Recalls
222
Total Complaints
6
Investigations
0
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN — Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 2 | View |
| 2018 | 19 | 0 | View |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | View |
| 2016 | 20 | 1 | View |
| 2015 | 27 | 4 | View |
| 2014 | 26 | 0 | View |
| 2013 | 28 | 1 | View |
| 2012 | 30 | 0 | View |
| 2011 | 35 | 0 | View |
| 2010 | 42 | 0 | View |
| 2009 | 33 | 3 | View |
| 2008 | 32 | 5 | View |
| 2007 | 21 | 5 | View |
| 2006 | 15 | 2 | View |
| 2005 | 13 | 1 | View |
| 2004 | 15 | 10 | View |
| 2003 | 11 | 2 | View |
| 2002 | 14 | 1 | View |
| 2001 | 14 | 2 | View |
| 2000 | 16 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 16 | 0 | View |
| 1998 | 9 | 1 | View |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1996 (current) | 6 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 11 | 0 | View |
| 1994 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 1993 | 7 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 9 | 182 | View |
| 1991 | 8 | 0 | View |
| 1990 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 1989 | 9 | 0 | View |
| 1988 | 8 | 0 | View |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1983 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1982 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1980 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1976 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1975 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1974 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1973 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1972 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1971 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1969 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1968 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1967 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 | View |