Blue Bird All American 1999

Model All American made in 1999 by Blue Bird got 16 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and engine and engine cooling. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system and equipment.

Model 1999

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
03V085000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 03/05/1998 to 06/03/1999V (Vehicle)4302MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY03/28/200303/19/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryIn this event, the electrical wiring harness may be damaged and the possibility of fire may exist.
Corrective SummaryCummins 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.
NotesAlso, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
99V234000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 03/11/1999 to 08/11/1999V (Vehicle)10108/26/1999MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY08/23/199908/30/1999571102
Defect SummaryVehicle description: front engine school buses equipped with allison world transmissions. these buses do not fully comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 102, transmission, shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect. the neutral safety switch is wired incorrectly allowing the starter to engage when the ignition is turned on, followed by the transmission selector being placed in forward or reverse positions, and then the ignition turned to the start position.
Consequence SummaryThis condition would cause the engine to star and run if the ignition was turned to the start position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be provided with parts and instructions necessary to modify the engine starter/transmission shift electrical circuitry. if an owner so desires, a dealer can perform the modification for them.
NotesOwner notification began august 26, 1999.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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
01V191000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 06/01/1995 to 05/31/2001V (Vehicle)563107/30/2001MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY06/11/200106/14/2001
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesBlue bird recall no. r01ff.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
00V209000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 05/06/1999 to 07/13/2000V (Vehicle)17508/24/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY08/03/200008/09/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with cummins isc engines. the wiring harness to the combustion air intake grid heater can chafe against the engine and wear through.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can cause an electrical short in the grid heater power supply.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be advised to re-route the original grid heater power supply harness. in addition, a clamp will be added to support the harness away from the engine components.
NotesOwner notification began august 24, 2000. 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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
02V185000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 11/30/1995 to 04/23/2002V (Vehicle)40808/29/2002MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY07/15/200207/23/2002571101
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryThe operator could place the engine switch in a position other than that intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryOwners 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.
NotesAlso, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
05V062000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY V (Vehicle)18891ODIBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY02/22/200502/28/2005
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryShould the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective SummaryCustomers 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.
NotesCustomers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
00V279004BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 01/01/1999 to 12/15/2000V (Vehicle)126902/12/2001ODIBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY12/18/200001/26/2001571105
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryFailure of the electronic control unit to detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap can result in the loss of antilock braking function on the wheel(s) where the air gap exists, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryThe abs ecu will be removed and replaced or the ecu will be reprogrammed.
NotesOwner notification began february 12, 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 . also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
00V232005BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 01/01/1998 to 08/24/2000V (Vehicle)1091809/05/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY09/08/200009/26/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThis condition could cause the abs ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. this could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the abs ecu.
NotesOwner notification began september 5,2000.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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - CONTROLS - FOOT CONTROL
00V162000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 10/15/1997 to 05/31/2000V (Vehicle)968706/14/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY06/12/200006/16/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryUnder certain conditions, such as parked on an incline, driver activates the parking brake but removes foot from the threadle valve, the bus could roll before the parking brake is fully engaged.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.
NotesOwner notification began june 14, 2000.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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - SUPPLY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
00V051000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 03/19/1998 to 02/03/2000V (Vehicle)311303/08/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY02/22/200002/28/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryWith the brake system installed incorrectly, future maintenance might be affected by this inconsistency, causing the brakes to be installed incorrect, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
NotesOwner notification began march 8, 2000.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 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
00V245000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 02/10/1999 to 08/24/2000V (Vehicle)158109/06/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY08/30/200008/30/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle description: school and transit buses. these buses could have improperly installed or missing pinch bolts in the steering shaft assemblies.
Consequence SummaryThis can result in disengagement of the steering slip shaft assembly and loss of steering.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be provided with installation instructions and new replacement bolts and locking nuts for the steering shaft assemblies.
NotesOwner notification began september 6, 2000. owners do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
00V071000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 03/19/1998 to 02/03/2000V (Vehicle)77904/13/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY03/06/200003/13/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle description: front engine school and transit buses. the power distribution unit (pdu) cables are inadequately supported or routed in close proximity to the steering pitman arm.
Consequence SummaryThe cable can chafe resulting in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be provided with step by step repair instructions for re-routing the wires.
NotesOwner notification began april 13, 2000. owners who do not receive the free repair kitwithin a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-822-2242. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
01V044003BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 08/03/1999 to 01/12/2000V (Vehicle)84203/30/2001MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY02/23/200102/28/2001
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryIf this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesAlso contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
STRUCTURE - BODY
03V363000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 10/02/1998 to 08/22/2003V (Vehicle)808811/20/2003MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY10/08/200310/23/2003571221
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryThe rear of the driver's platform may not be properly retained in the event of a crash which could increase the risk of injury or death to passengers.
Corrective SummaryBlue 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.
NotesAlso, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration
SUSPENSION
01V338000BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 09/09/1998 to 10/11/2001V (Vehicle)269201/18/2002MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY11/02/200111/05/2001
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryInsufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesAlso contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL
00V230001BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYfrom 02/02/1999 to 08/04/2000V (Vehicle)691408/18/2000MFRBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY08/17/200008/23/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThis condition could cause the pedal to go to full throttle if both return springs break, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryReplacement 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.
NotesOwner notification began august 18, 2000. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
S01EP03/09/2001620544Subject buses may have had concerns regarding fuses blowing frequently in the front heater circuit. *tt08/14/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
SB-S-70-LJ03/01/200710043209Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. information on excessive cycling of engine cooling fan and shutter and how to install thermo switches for cooling system and charge air system. *pe03/02/2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
SB-S-70-LJ03/01/200710043209Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. information on excessive cycling of engine cooling fan and shutter and how to install thermo switches for cooling system and charge air system. *pe03/02/2012