VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE WALL SIDE ATTACHING BOLTS FOR SOME OF THE PASSENGER SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE AND IN THE WRONG ATTACHING HOLE RESULTING IN WEAKENING OF THE SEAT LEDGE AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE REAR ATTACHING BOLT OF THESE SEATS COULD PULL OUT OF THE SEAT LEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 60 GALLON SIDE MOUNTED FUEL TANK BARRIERS. THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED, LEAKING FUEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL SHIP INSTRUCTIONS AND MODIFICATION KITS TO THE OWNERS OF THESE BUSES.
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Consequence & remedy
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.
THESE UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY MADE UP OF 300 POUNDS OF 1/4" PLATE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER AND BOLTED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS IN THE REAR OVERHANG JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR BUMPER. SOME OF THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS, CORROSION, OR ICE EXPANSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE PLATES CAN DROP TO THE ROADWAY BECOMING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MECHANICAL RETAINING DEVICE WHICH CLAMPS THE PLATES TOGETHER AND FASTENED WITH THREADED FASTENERS. BUS OWNERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REPAIRING THEIR OWN VEHICLES.
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Consequence & remedy
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.
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.
THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER SEPARATOR IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE CHASSIS FRAME CROSS MEMBER WHICH COULD DEFORM AND DISLODGE THE BOWL OF THE SEPARATOR IN AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE DURING AND AFTER A CRASH, IN EXCESS OF LIMIT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301, COULD CAUSE A FIRE NEAR A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: RELOCATE FUEL FILTER - SEPARATOR TO ELIMINATE INTERFERENCE WITH CROSSMEMBER IN ANY CRASH.
FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY CONTAIN CRACKED BRAKE DRUMS DUE TO IMPROPER FIT BETWEEN THE WHEEL HUBS AND THE BRAKE DRUMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BUS BRAKING CONTROL AND RESULTIN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE DRUMS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
PE93048 · Door Latch Systems
Opened May 12, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE89137 · Cracked Brake Drums
Opened Jul 6, 1989 · Closed Nov 16, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
PE89042 · Headlight Retaining Ring
Opened Feb 13, 1989 · Closed May 9, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SYNOPSIS:BLUE BIRD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN CALLING FOR THEREPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT RETAINING RINGS.FAILURE OF THIS RINGCOULD CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT TO SHINE UPWARD INTO THE EYES OF ONCOMING DRIVERS AND DIMINISH THE ABILITY OF THE BLUE BIRD DRIVER TO SEE THE ROAD INFRONT OF HIS VEHICLE.BOTH SITUATIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS.===
1988 Blue Bird TC2000 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration