2016 Blue Bird All American problems

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2014-2024 All American school buses equipped with 39" High Back seat restraining barriers. The bolts securing the restraining barriers to the floor may separate when fully loaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence

An unsecured seat restraining barrier may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will install a longer bolt with rectangular washer and nut, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R23CU-SB. This recall is an expansion of recall number 23V-777.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2008-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The seat barrier behind the driver seat with an integrated 3-point seat belt may have been installed incorrectly and may be missing the reinforcing bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the seat barrier may not adequately protect the occupant seated behind the seat barrier separating them from the driver seat with integrated 3-point seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly install the seat barrier including adding reinforcing bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 23, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AM-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Vision and 2015-2020 All American non-school buses equipped with ADB22X disc brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.

Consequence

A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increasing the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - NSB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Bendix ADB22X air brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.

Consequence

A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increase the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Ricon S-Series Titanium Wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Consequence

If the wheelchair lift platform raises above the height of the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user could fall inwards toward the vehicle, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the wheelchair lift positioning input cam, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZP-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses. The clamps that secure the stacked stretchers may fail from repeated use or from high loads.

Consequence

If the clamps fail with patients in the stretchers, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install redesigned clamps, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2018. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R18ZQ-NSB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2019 Vision and model year 2016 All American school buses equipped with certain QS11 series convertible school bus seats supplied by CE White/HSM Solutions. The integral D-Ring mounting stud located in the upper area of the seat back frame does not provide an adequate padding surface between the seat occupant and the D-Ring mounting stud.

Consequence

In a rear crash event, the occupant's head may contact the D-Ring mounting stud, resulting in a head injury or even death.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will equip the Integra D-Ring mounting studs with the proper padding, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17ZB-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016 Vision and All American school buses, equipped with certain QS11, QSCR11, QSJ11, and Davenport school bus seats that include three-point lap/shoulder seat belts. These seats may have a loose or missing D-ring mounting nut, allowing the shoulder belt D-ring to detach in a crash.

Consequence

A loose or missing shoulder belt D-ring may prevent the seat belt from adequately restraining the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and personnel from the school bus seat manufacturer will inspect and repair the affected seats, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird Campaigns Administration at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YZ (SB).

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 All American transit buses manufactured from November 13, 2014, through May 4, 2016, and 2016-2017 Vision transit buses manufactured from May 30, 2015, through February 2, 2016, equipped with Ricon S-Series (S2005 and S5510) wheelchair lifts. In the affected vehicles the platform side plate on the wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. The recall number for Blue Bird is R16YR-NSB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 All American school buses manufactured from August 20, 2010, through December 16, 2015. Buses with rear side emergency doors have seats over the wheelhouse area whose rear legs may detach from the floor in a crash, resulting in belted occupants traveling forward. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence

If the seat does not allow the occupant to be properly restrained in the event of a crash, they would be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear leg assembly, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R16YM-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 All American school buses manufactured May 18, 2015, to November 9, 2015, and Vision school buses manufactured May 8, 2015, to October 27, 2015, equipped with certain Transpec T6000, T6100, and T7000 series school bus stop arms. The affected stop arms have a reflective decal that may peel loose from the stop arm. As such, these stop arms fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 131, "School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices."

Consequence

Without a reflective decal, the stop arms would have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop arm blade assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 28, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or the manufacturer of the stop arms at 1-800-951-7867. Blue Birds number for this recall is R16YK-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine non school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence

If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of Blue Bird, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YE-NSB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence

If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of Blue Bird, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YE-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016 Vision and All American rear engine school buses manufactured February 11, 2015, to April 2, 2015. The affected vehicles have seat bottoms whose foam core may not meet the flammability requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."

Consequence

If the seats are built with this seat bottom foam core, the seats may not resist catching fire in the presence of an ignition source, increasing the risk that a fire may start or spread.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the school bus seat bottoms with foam that is compliant to the safety standard, free of charge. The recall began on June 9, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YD-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 All American A3FE, A3RE, T3FE, T3RE, and D3RE school buses manufactured June 28, 2012, to September 25, 2014, and 2013-2016 Vision BBCV school buses manufactured June 9, 2012, to September 30, 2014. Incorrect fasteners may have been used to secure the seat gusset reinforcement to the side wall resulting in the seat belts being improperly anchored. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence

If the seat belts are improperly anchored, there is an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the the seat gusset reinforcement mounting fasteners, and will install an additional gusset reinforcement bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Birds number for this recall is R15YC-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016 All American school buses manufactured from September 11, 2014, through January 8, 2015. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.

Consequence

If the steering shaft clamp comes into contact with the rubber boot, additional effort would be needed to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird Customer Service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XE. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-309.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016 All American transit buses manufactured from September 15, 2014, through January 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.

Consequence

If the steering shaft clamp comes into contact with the rubber boot, additional effort would be needed to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird Customer Service 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XE. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-306.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected school buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.

Consequence

If all the exhaust hangers were to fail, the housings may fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YB-SB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine transit buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected transit buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.

Consequence

If all the exhaust hangers were to fail, the housings may fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables, free of charge. The recall began on March 5, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YB-NSB.

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision and All American school buses manufactured July 8, 2014, to September 22, 2014. These buses, equipped with hydraulic brakes, may have an incorrectly manufactured parking brake pedal assembly which could separate and bend causing the parking brake not to engage properly.

Consequence

If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the date code on the parking brake pedal assembly and will replace the assembly if it is within that date range, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XR.