1995 Blue Bird All American problems

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE OPERATOR COULD PLACE THE ENGINE SWITCH IN A POSITION OTHER THAN THAT INTENDED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES. MOVEMENT OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE IN THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET RUBS A GROOVE IN THE BRACKET. THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THIS GROOVE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence

THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Defect

THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.

Defect

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Defect

THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ENTRANCE DOOR HANDRAIL OFF SET BRACE ATTACHED TO THE INTERIOR WALL AND THE HANDRAIL. THE ATTACHMENT POINT AT THE WALL IS INCORRECTLY POSITIONED PERMITTING THE ENTRAPMENT OF THE "CONNECTICUT NUT/STRING TEST DEVICE" BETWEEN THE UPPER EDGE OF THE BRACE AND THE LOWER EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE. PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT THE BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE THE BRACKET AS NECESSARY. OWNERS CAN INSPECT AND RELOCATE THE BRACKET IS SO DESIRED.

Defect

THESE VEHICLES COULD HAVE A LATCH WHICH SCRAPES AN ALUMINUM TRIM PIECE INCREASING THE FORCE REQUIRED TO OPEN. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW TO USE AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CAM LOCK PLATE.

Defect

AN IMPROPER MIX OF ADHESIVE WAS APPLIED TO THE INTERIOR SIDE PANEL JOINTS RESULTING IN THE BUSES FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH.":

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE SIDE PANEL OF THE BUS MAY NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED FMVSS NO. 221

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR WITH CORRECT ADHESIVE IF THE SEALER WAS NOT CURED PROPERLY.

Defect

THE FLOOR LINE HANDRAIL BRACKET CAN EXPAND DURING USE AND CREATE AN OPENING WHICH COULD ENTRAP COAT STRINGS, ETC. AND OTHER ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL COULD BE DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.

Defect

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Defect

THE AISLE SIDE STYROFOAM KNEE PADS ON THE SUBJECT BARRIERS ARE 11" WIDE AND NOT 14.5" AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT PAD WITH THE CORRECT 14.5" KNEE PAD.

Defect

QUENCH CRACKS OCCURRED IN THE PITMAN ARM PINCH BOLT DURING THE BOLT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, CAUSING A WEAKNESS IN THESE BOLTS.

Consequence

THESE CRACKS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO FRACTURE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT BOLTS FOR ALL AFFECTED UNITS.