Blue Bird CSRE recalls by model year

Reported: 1994-08-24 (August 24, 1994) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

A SUDDEN HYDRAULIC PRESSURE LOSS DURING HARD TURNS RESULTS IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE PRESSURE LOSS OCCURS WHEN THE HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN ENGINE COOLING FAN TURNS OFF IN THE TURN.

Consequence: THE DRIVER REACTS TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST BY OVERSTEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVES WILL BE REPLACED WITH VALVES OF A NEW DESIGN. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO DISCONNECT THE FAN CUTOFF SWITCH SO THAT HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN FANS WILL RUN FULL TIME, ELIMINATING THE PRESSURE SPIKE.

Reported: 1994-05-03 (May 3, 1994) · Model years: 1993, 1994

THE WHEELBEARING LOCKNUT AND COTTER PIN WERE NOT INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AXLE HUBS. THE CAN CAUSE A GRADUAL INCREASE IN WHEEL SHIMMY.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND, IF UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE AXLE.

Remedy: REPAIR KITS WILL BE FURNISHED TO OWNERS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS WILL BE MADE.

Reported: 1996-07-11 (July 11, 1996) · Model years: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM DRIVER'S SEAT MODEL F222 OR BOSTRUM "ROUTEMASTER" SEAT. BLUE BIRD OPTION 2821 OR 2824. THE SEAT PEDESTALS ARE FATIGUE CRACKING ADJACENT TO THE WELD WHICH SECURES THE PEDESTAL'S UPPER PLATE TO THE UPPER, TELESCOPING PORTION OF THE ADJUSTABLE COLUMN SUPPORT.

Consequence: THE UPPER MOUNTING PLATE AND SEAT UPPER GRADUALLY BECOMES LOOSE RESULTING IN THE UPPER PLATE DETACHING FROM THE SUPPORTING COLUMN AND THE SEAT CAN FALL FROM ITS MOUNTING. THIS CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE PEDESTALS WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PEDESTAL BRACKET KIT.

Reported: 1994-05-10 (May 10, 1994) · Model years: 1994

AIR BRAKE SUPPLY LINES ARE REVERSED AT THE BRAKE TREADLE VALVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE MODULATED SPRING BRAKE FEATURE ON THE REAR AXLE BRAKE TO BE INOPERABLE. IN THE EVENT THE REAR BRAKE SUPPLY RESERVOIR WERE LOST, THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT PROPER FUNCTION OF THE MODULATED SPRING BRAKE ACTION OF THE REAR BRAKE AXLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: LOSS OF THE SECONDARY SPRING BRAKE FUNCTION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF THE PRIMARY AIR BRAKES FAIL.

Remedy: VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SWAP SUPPLY LINES AT THE TREADLE VALVE TO OBTAIN THE CORRECT PLUMBING, AND WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR LABOR EXPENSES.

Reported: 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995) · Model years: 1994, 1995

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.

Reported: 1996-01-01 (January 1, 1996) · Model years: 1995

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.

Reported: 1996-09-23 (September 23, 1996) · Model years: 1996

THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH A CRIMPED END FITTING WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence: THE END FITTING CAN BLOW-OFF RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING CAUSING INSUFFICIENT STEERING CONTROL WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THE SUSPECT HOSES (IDENTIFIABLE BY DATE CODE) AND REPLACE HOSES AS NECESSARY.

Reported: 1998-03-02 (March 2, 1998) · Model years: 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE BEING SET.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY SEE THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON AND LEAVE THE BUS. THE BUS MAY THEN ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A DIODE TO THE STOP LIGHT CIRCUIT TO PREVENT ILLUMINATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN SET.