1996 BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL
5 recalls, 0 complaints - 3 TSBs
00V219000 Aug 17, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO MEET THE 60 PERCENT JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ROOF MAY NOT BE SUPPORTED SUFFICIENTLY, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY TO BUS OCCUPANTS.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO INSPECT EACH ROOF JOINT. OWNERS WILL INSTALL REPAIR RIVETS IN EACH JOINT FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF RIVETS IN EACH EXAMINED 8 INCH SECTION.
99V018000 Jun 15, 1999
SEATS
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE REAR ATTACHING BOLT OF THESE SEATS COULD PULL OUT OF THE SEAT LEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.
99V031000 Feb 10, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MOUNTED ON CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTION FOR THREE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY CABLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED PROPERLY ALLOWING THE CABLE TO BE CHAFED OR PINCHED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE POSITIVE CABLE TO SHORT OUT CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL PLUG THE HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN CLAMP. A NEW HOLE WILL BE ADDED DIRECTLY BELOW THE REARMOST BATTERY CABLE HOLE AND THE POSITIVE CABLE WILL BE RE-ROUTED THROUGH THE NEW HOLE.
99V017000 Jan 29, 1999
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES MOUNTED ON NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE STANDARD CROSS VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."
Consequence
THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.
Remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO MODIFY THE CROSS VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLIES.
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.
No complaints found for this vehicle.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL
3 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| 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.
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 CONVENTIONAL
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE07020
Opened: Apr 19, 2007 , Closed: Aug 6, 2007
SEAT TRACK CORROSION
ODI OPENED THIS PE AFTER RECEIVING THREE ALLEGATIONS OF SEAT TRACK CORROSION DISCOVERED BY FLEETS WHILE PERFORMING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS VISITED THE FLEETS, INSPECTED SUBJECT BUSES, INTERVIEWED SHOP PERSONNEL, REVIEWED BLUE BIRD'S RESPONSE TO OUR INFORMAT... Read more
BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL across all model years (1985, 2014).
119
Total Recalls
20
Total Complaints
1
Investigations
6
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
3
Reported Deaths
BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 2 | View |
| 2017 | 0 | 3 | View |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2011 | 1 | 2 | View |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2008 | 7 | 2 | View |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 | View |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | View |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | View |
| 2003 | 6 | 3 | View |
| 2002 | 7 | 0 | View |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 | View |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1998 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1996 (current) | 5 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1994 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1993 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1991 | 6 | 7 | View |
| 1990 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1989 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1988 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 | View |