Blue Bird VCTA recalls by model year

Reported: 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996) · Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

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.

Reported: 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995) · Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

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.

Reported: 1998-05-18 (May 18, 1998) · Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A POSITIVE HOLD OPEN DEVICE (RETAINER) FOR THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN UNTIL IT WAS RELEASED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR RETAINER. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE RETAINER IF THEY SO DESIRE.

Reported: 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995) · Model years: 1995, 1996

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.

Reported: 1996-01-23 (January 23, 1996) · Model years: 1995

THE WRONG CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS INSTALLED IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WHICH COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF THE 8-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM.

Consequence: THE 8-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE DISCHARGING PASSENGERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR AN EXITING PASSENGER BEING STRUCK BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO CHECK AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS. OWNERS CAN ALSO HAVE THESE CIRCUIT BREAKERS CHECKED AND REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER.