STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." ONE OR MORE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE DRIVER'S PLATFORM TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WAS OMITTED.
Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED UNITS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2003. 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 478-822-2242.
8,088 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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 60 GALLON SIDE MOUNTED FUEL TANK BARRIERS. THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL SHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND MODIFICATION KITS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSES.
16,338 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
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THESE UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY MADE UP OF 300 POUNDS OF 1/4" PLATE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER AND BOLTED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS IN THE REAR OVERHANG JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR BUMPER. SOME OF THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS, CORROSION, OR ICE EXPANSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MECHANICAL RETAINING DEVICE WHICH CLAMPS THE PLATES TOGETHER AND FASTENED WITH THREADED FASTENERS. BUS OWNERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REPAIRING THEIR OWN VEHICLES.
416 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SET SCREW TO THE METAL CLAMP WHICH RETAINS THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL. A HIGH IMPACT MOLDED PLASTIC "CLAM SHELL" WILL BE PLACED OVER EACH END OF THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL COMPLETELY COVERING THE CLAMP AND ELIMINATING ALL CATCH-POINTS. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE CRIMPED SECURING THE VERTICAL SECTION OF THE PRIMARY TUBLAR HANDRAIL AT THE FLOOR LINE.
27,189 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
STRUCTURE:BODY
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.
21,000 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
A 150 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER, OPTION 4362, HAS BEEN WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH A STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT, THEREBY NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED PROTECTION.
Remedy: THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT MUST BE REMOVED.
275 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS
THE FRONT AIR BRAKE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER CONTACTS THE STEERING ARM PREVENTING PROPER BRAKE ADJUSTMENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CHAMBERS THAT HAVE LONGER PUSH RODS.
40 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE MAY RUB AGAINST THE LEFT FRAME RAIL.
Remedy: INSTALL A BRACKET AT REAR AXLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE FRAME RAIL.
365 vehicles affected