FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2002 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, TC2000 SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, AND COMMERCIAL SERIES BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
Remedy: CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY CUMMINS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
18,891 vehicles affected
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB 6 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACE OR MOUNTING HARDWARE CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK WHICH WILL ALLOW THE ALTERNATOR TO DROP ONTO THE ENGINE.
Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
4,302 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
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.
408 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION
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.
Remedy: 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.
2,692 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
Remedy: 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.
5,631 vehicles affected
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
842 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PHASE 1, D-VERSION ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." AN INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM IN THE ABS MAY NOT DETECT AN EXTREME WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AIR GAP. SUCH A CONDITION COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR DURING (1) ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY OR (2) SUBSEQUENT WHEEL END SERVICE.
Remedy: THE ABS ECU WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED OR THE ECU WILL BE REPROGRAMMED.
1,269 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
10,918 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO MEET THE 60 PERCENT JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."
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.
25,839 vehicles affected
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
Remedy: 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.
6,914 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL/VALVE
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.
9,687 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.
3,113 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THERE IS A SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END OF THE BUS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN AXLE DAMPER KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
257 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
I WORK FOR THE WEST MILFORD BD. OF EDUCATION DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS. MY REGULAR BUS WAS OUT OF SERVICE AND I WAS ASSIGNED BUS 206 WHICH HAS A DRIVER SEAT DEFECT. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR BY MANY OTHER DRIVERS, HOWEVER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. MANAGEMENT AND MECHANICS HAVE GIVEN A RANGE OF ANSWERS SUCH AS THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT CAN'T BE FIXED, TO IT HAS BEEN FIXED, TO THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SEAT WHICH IS AN AIR SEAT, VIOLENTLY BOUNCES UP AND DOWN SLAMMING YOU ON THE FLOOR OF THE BUS CAUSING LOSS OF VISION OUT OF WINDSHIELD FOR A SECOND THEN JERKING YOU UP AGAIN AND YOU MUST HANG ON SO TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL THAT YOU JERK THE WHEEL AND COULD POSSIBLY VEER OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE SEAT BELT GIVES NO SUPPORT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR, IT IS ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE SEAT. AS A RESULT OF MY DRIVING THIS BUS I AM NOW OUT ON WORKMANS COMPENSATION BECAUSE MY ROTATOR CUFF WAS INJURED FROM THIS BUS. SOME DRIVERS HAVE WRITTEN STATEMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER OTHERS WILL NOT BECAUSE THEY FEAR RETRIBUTION FROM MANAGEMENT. *NM
I AM A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER FOR WEST MILFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION. DURING THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR WHENEVER MY BUS WAS IN FOR SERVICE I WAS TO DRIVE BUS 206. THIS BUS HAS A DEFECT WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT IT HAS AN AIR SEAT WHICH BOUNCES YOU ALL OVER THE PLACE AND SLAMS YOU BACK DOWN CAUSING YOU TO BANG VERY HARD INTO THE FLOOR AND THEN SPRINGS YOU BACK UP LIKE A JACK IN THE BOX. THE ONLY WAY I CAN DRIVE THIS BUS IS TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE AIR OUT OF THE SEAT AND THEN I HAVE TO SIT ON PILLOWS TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOT JERK IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. EVERYONE DRIVES THIS SPARE BUS VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SLOW YOU GO OR HOW SMALL THE BUMPS IN THE ROAD ARE THE SEAT STILL THROWS YOU AROUND. THIS SEAT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT NO-ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FIND THIS SEAT TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY TIME OR INJURY TO THE DRIVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST AND BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT DRIVERS, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT, AND IF WE TRY TO REFUSE TO DRIVE IT WE ARE GIVEN A HARD TIME ABOUT IT BY THE SUPERVISOR AND TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THEN SENT HOME WITHOUT PAY FOR THE DAY. *NM
DT : THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CUMMINGS ENGINE. HAS TO TAKE ONE BUS AT A TIME TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER HAS SIXTEEN BUSES. THE ABOVEMENTIONED BUS HAS BEEN THERE SINCE SEPTEMBER 9, 2005, AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWENTY DAYS. HAS THIRTEEN MORE BUSES, AND THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO TAKE THEM TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS . THE DEALER SAYS THEY LOST THE FUEL CODE AND THEY CANNOT GET THE FUEL CODE FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. *AK
1. EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE WERE NONE, BUS WAS RUNNING FINE AND JUST STOPPED 2. THE SCHOOL BUS WAS BEING USED ON A REGULAR ROUTE AND JUST QUIT RUNNING WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. 3. WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE ELECTRIC LIFT PUMP AS WELL AS VP-44 INJECTOR PUMP VEHICLE IS NOW UNDER RECALL #05E-007 FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFT PUMP AND POSSIBLY THE VP-44 INJECTOR PUMP. MY COMLAINT REVOLVES AROUND THE FACT THAT CUMMINS WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THE VP-44 PUMP THAT WAS REPLACED ON 11/15/2004 DUE TO FAILURE THAT I FEEL IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CURRENT RECALL. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE USE FOR PARTS THAT WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY FIXING. JUST BECAUSE OUR PROBLEM OCCURRED 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL RECALL SHOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO GET OUT OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACMENT.
ON APRIL 18, 2002 BLUE BIRD BUS EXPERIENCED AN EXTREMELY BAD ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE BREAKING OF THE ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACE. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED APPROXIMATELY $20,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE BUS. THE BUS WAS RUNNING ITS AFTERNOON ROUTE AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 15 STUDENTS ON IT AT THE TIME AND THEY EVACUATED SAFELY. WE HAVE SINCE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CUMMINS ON THIS AND I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT IT SINCE APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. I REPORTED IT TO BLUE BIRD AND CUMMINS AT THE TIME AS I WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT.*JB
Fire