Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | ||||||||||||||||
| 09V075000 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | from 01/18/2007 to 10/29/2008 | V (Vehicle) | 3419 | 04/07/2009 | ODI | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 03/09/2009 | 03/09/2009 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Blue bird is recalling 3,419 my 2008 and 2009 vision conventional school buses manufactured from january 18, 2007 through october 29, 2008, equipped with caterpillar c7 and c7 07 engines. incorrect bolts and/or spacers may have been installed to attach the fan blade to the fan clutch. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | As a result, the fan blade may separate from the clutch and potentially cause property damage or personal injury to persons in or near the front of the bus. the vehicle should not be serviced with the hood open and the engine running until the bolts/spacers have been inspected and, if needed, replaced. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Blue bird will notify owners and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. the safety recall began on april 7, 2009. owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Blue bird's recall number r09pd.owners 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 . | |||||||||||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | ||||||||||||||||
| 07V407000 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | from 06/06/2007 to 09/04/2007 | V (Vehicle) | 1339 | 09/07/2007 | MFR | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 09/07/2007 | 09/07/2007 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain 2008 blue bird vision school buses manufactured from june 6 through september 4, 2007. the oil fill cap may separate from the oil fill tube allowing engine oil to be emitted from the tube. oil could wet the left front brake shoes/pads resulting in reduced braking capacity. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | A vehicle crash could occur. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Blue bird is advising the owners to remove their buses from service until they have the buses repaired and to contact a caterpillar dealer for an interim repair. the interim repair consists of installing two screws through the oil fill tube to retain the oil fill cap in place. caterpillar will issue a separate recall notification letter to owners on or about september 17, 2007 that will instruct owners to contact a caterpillar dealer to schedule an appointment to have a new oil fill tube installed as a permanent remedy. the recall began on september 7, 2007. owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242 or caterpillar at 800-447-4986. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Blue bird recall no. r07mj.customers may 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. | |||||||||||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - DIESEL | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V309000 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | from 05/23/2007 to 07/04/2008 | V (Vehicle) | 1824 | MFR | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 07/10/2008 | 07/11/2008 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | A plug on the outlet side of the fuel pump can crack on certain 2008 and 2009 my blue bird all american and vision school buses manufactured from may 23, 2007 through july 4, 2008, equipped with caterpillar c7 engines. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | A crack in this plug can result in a high pressure fuel spray or leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Blue bird is working in conjunction with caterpillar to notify owners to contact their local caterpillar dealer for a free remedy. the recall is expected to begin during july 2008. owners can contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Blue bird's recall no. r08ng.customers may 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. | |||||||||||||||
| 07V338000 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | from 06/06/2007 to 08/27/2007 | V (Vehicle) | 438 | MFR | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 08/03/2007 | 08/03/2007 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Certain blue bird my 2008 all american and vision school buses manufactured between june 6 and july 27, 2007. a fuel pump failure will dilute the engine oil with fuel and cause loss of throttle control and excessive smoke. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Either condition could result in a vehicle crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Blue bird is working in conjunction with caterpillar to notify owners to contact their local caterpillar dealer for a free remedy. the recall is expected to begin during august 2007. owners can contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or blue bird at 478-822-2242. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Blue bird recall no. r07mf.customers may 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. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||||
| SB-S-10-RD | 02/09/2010 | 10043400 | Blue bird bus: see document search button for owner letter. the engine coolant and/or transmission may become contaminated due to high pressure cycling of internal transmission oil cooler of radiator assembly becoming fatigue. *pe | 03/27/2012 | |
| SB-S-10-SA | 06/15/2010 | 10043406 | Blue bird bus: see document search button for owner letter. on certain model year buses, engine coolant may leak, due to low coolant sensor, from surge tank to engine harness connector and wick, through to engine ecm and other component | 03/27/2012 | |
| SB-S0701 | 06/06/2007 | 10032764 | Blue bird bus: re-issue service update engine coolants. the cooling system on the buses be properly maintained and monitored to insure proper operation of your cooling system. *pe | 05/19/2010 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||||
| SB-S-08-NR | 12/18/2008 | 10043385 | Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. on certain model year buses, the fan blade was installed to the fan clutch with incorrect length bolts and/or spacers, which may separate from clutch and cause damage to blade. | 03/23/2012 | |
| SB-S-70-LJ | 03/01/2007 | 10043209 | Blue 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. *pe | 03/02/2012 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||||
| SB-S-09-PC | 03/05/2009 | 10043391 | Blue bird bus: on certain model year buses, the oil cooler line insulation or oil cooler lines, may become damaged if it comes in contact with engine exhaust down pipe. *pe | 03/26/2012 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||||
| SB-S-10-RD | 02/09/2010 | 10043400 | Blue bird bus: see document search button for owner letter. the engine coolant and/or transmission may become contaminated due to high pressure cycling of internal transmission oil cooler of radiator assembly becoming fatigue. *pe | 03/27/2012 | |
| SB-S-70-LJ | 03/01/2007 | 10043209 | Blue 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. *pe | 03/02/2012 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| SB-S-10-SA | 06/15/2010 | 10043406 | Blue bird bus: see document search button for owner letter. on certain model year buses, engine coolant may leak, due to low coolant sensor, from surge tank to engine harness connector and wick, through to engine ecm and other component | 03/27/2012 | |
| SB-S-09-PC | 03/05/2009 | 10043391 | Blue bird bus: on certain model year buses, the oil cooler line insulation or oil cooler lines, may become damaged if it comes in contact with engine exhaust down pipe. *pe | 03/26/2012 | |
| SB-S-08-MY | 02/28/2008 | 10043272 | Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. some model year vehicle experience shutting down after starting up due to positive jumper cable being incorrectly routed to electrical power stud instead of chassis power stud. | 03/08/2012 | |
| SB-S-08-NP | 12/05/2008 | 10043269 | Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. some model year busses may have incorrectly routed grid heater power supply cable, that may need to be relocated to chassis power stud if on electronic power stud. *pe | 03/08/2012 | |
| SU-S-0802 | 09/28/2008 | 10043271 | Blue bird: update information on some model year buses regarding the electronic control modules (ecm) recalibration of isb and isc engines. *pe | 03/08/2012 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - DIESEL | |||||
| SB-S0701 | 06/06/2007 | 10032764 | Blue bird bus: re-issue service update engine coolants. the cooling system on the buses be properly maintained and monitored to insure proper operation of your cooling system. *pe | 05/19/2010 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||||
| SB-S-07-MH | 09/25/2007 | 10043228 | Blue bird: see document search button for owner letter. some model buses may have alternator drive belt that is too long and insufficient tension on fan pulley to prevent engine from overheating should be replaced. *pe | 03/05/2012 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ||||||
| PE10018 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 05/27/2010 | Engine Compartment Fires | 10V290000 | ||
| Odi is aware of four blue bird vision bus fires. reportedly, all fires havestarted in the egine compartment. this pe is being opened to further study these fires. historically, engine compartment fires have been the subject of numerous safety recalls. | ||||||
| PE10018 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 05/27/2010 | Engine Compartment Fires | 10E025000 | ||
| Odi is aware of four blue bird vision bus fires. reportedly, all fires havestarted in the egine compartment. this pe is being opened to further study these fires. historically, engine compartment fires have been the subject of numerous safety recalls. | ||||||
| PE10018 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 05/27/2010 | Engine Compartment Fires | 10V289000 | ||
| Odi is aware of four blue bird vision bus fires. reportedly, all fires havestarted in the egine compartment. this pe is being opened to further study these fires. historically, engine compartment fires have been the subject of numerous safety recalls. | ||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | ||||||
| PE09007 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY | 02/12/2009 | 04/09/2009 | COOLING FAN SEPARATION | 09V075000 | |
| A blue bird corporation service bulletin dated december 18, 2008, warns owners that the radiator cooling fan assembly may have been installed usingincorrectly sized bolts and spacers onmodel years 2008 and 2009 vision school buses. there is a possibility that the fan blade may separate from the clutch mounting position. after further review, on march 3, 2009, blue bird filed a safety recall to inspect all involved buses. blue bird will replaced the existing spacers and bolts if found to be the incorrect hardware.this recall action resolves the issues raised by this investigation. accordingly, this investigation is closed. | ||||||