NHTSA Campaign 09V205000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Issued by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY · Reported Jun 9, 2009 · 2,203 vehicles affected

What's wrong

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,203 MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 16, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 10, 2009. THE PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCK IS NOT WIRED TO INHIBIT THE STARTER AT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VANDAL LOCK IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence

THE VEHICLES CAN BE STARTED AND DRIVEN EVEN WHEN AN OWNER MAY THINK THEY CANNOT.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 25, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-422-2242.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2003 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2004 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2005 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2006 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2007 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2008 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2009 2,203
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN 2010 2,203

Source: NHTSA Campaign 09V205000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.