1991 BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL Recalls, Complaints & Safety

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH AN OPTIONAL FIREWALL HEATER HOSE CONNECTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE BUS AND MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 21, 1985, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 1993.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THESE BUSES BY INSTALLING A METAL PROTECTIVE SHIELD OVER THE HEATER HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

1,847 vehicles affected

SEATS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE WALL SIDE ATTACHING BOLTS FOR SOME OF THE PASSENGER SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE AND IN THE WRONG ATTACHING HOLE RESULTING IN WEAKENING OF THE SEAT LEDGE AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.

41,260 vehicles affected

STRUCTURE:BODY

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

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.

18,000 vehicles affected

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

A WELD IN THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY USED ON REAR AND/OR SIDE EMERGENCY DOORS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED AND BREAK. WHEN THIS OCCURS, A CLOSED DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED, OR IF OPEN IT CANNOT BE LATCHED.

Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCKS.

1,932 vehicles affected

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE ELECTRIC VANDAL LOCK CENTER PLUNGER CAN TAP THE CONTROL LOCK PIN, OF THE OUTWARD OPENING DOOR, WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR LOCK TO BECOME DISENGAGED.

Remedy: MODIFY THE VANDAL DOOR LOCKS WITH BLUE BIRD SUPPLIED KITS.

912 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR LOCKS UP WITH THE BELT IN THE STOWED POSITION.

Remedy: MODIFICATION KITS WILL BE SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO THE OWNER FOR MODIFICATION OF THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

4,385 vehicles affected

* Propane Barrier Tank Bracket cracks at fastener locations * Michigan State Police Identified as a violation *Any fuel tank impact protection cage that fails to comply with FMVSS301 * Inspected by Michigan State Police, OEM Bus dealer *No warning, found on safety inspection