2006 Blue Bird VISION: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD MY 2004-2006 VISION SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 24, 2003, AND APRIL 25, 2005. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE DASH WARNING LIGHT WAS INCORRECTLY LABELED WITH THE CANADIAN VERSION WHICH USES SYMBOLS RATHER THAN WORDS AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS.

Consequence: THE ORIGINAL DASH WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR DISPLAYS AN INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL ON THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHEREAS FMVSS 105 REQUIRES THE WORD "BRAKE" TO BE DISPLAYED. THE OPERATOR MAY NOT RECOGNIZE THE INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL AS WARNING INDICATING A PROBLEM IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH IF THE WARNING IS NOT HEEDED.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL MAIL REPLACEMENT DECALS WITH CORRECT NOMENCLATURE FOR THE BRAKE DASH WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2005-05-09 (May 9, 2005)

CERTAIN MY 2006 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN AND VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 9 AND APRIL 15, 2005. SEAT SPACING IN FRONT OF THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR FLIP UP SEAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED SPACING AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED BUSES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY BLUE BIRD DISTRIBUTORS. THEREFORE, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR BLUE BIRD TO MAIL OUT OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO CUSTOMERS.

Reported: 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD 2002 THROUGH 2006 MY ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, MINIBIRD, MICROBIRD, VISION, AND TC2000 SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING MOTORISTS SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ALL ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN OR NEAR ANY OF THE STATES LISTED ABOVE, BLUE BIRD IS ENCOURAGING THE BUS OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN THE WARMER STATES, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH UPON OWNER REQUEST. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO REQUEST THE REMEDY, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2005-08-31 (August 31, 2005)

CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2006 MY BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, TC2000, AND VISION TRANSIT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 5, 2001, AND JULY 15, 2005. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH THAT HAS CONNECTIONS THAT MAY BE LOOSE ON THE BATTERY SWITCH STUDS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BUS TO SHUT DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION.

Consequence: SHOULD THE BUS SHUT DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19 , 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2006-04-11 (April 11, 2006)

CERTAIN MY 2006 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES AND 2006 CONVENTIONAL VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 7 AND NOVEMBER 8, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON S AND K SERIES PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS . THE VERTICAL SUPPORT ARMS FOR THE LIFTS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED ALLOWING THE LIFT TO STOW IMPROPERLY.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)

CERTAIN 2004-2007 MY VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 5, 2003, AND JUNE 13, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH OPTION 40280-02 AMMETER SHUNT. THE POWER CABLE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED BETWEEN THE TOE BOARD AND THE SHUNT MAY BE TOO SHORT AND MAY BREAK DUE TO ENGINE VIBRATION.

Consequence: SHOULD THE POWER CABLE BREAK WHILE THE BUS IS IN USE, THE BUS COULD BECOME STRANDED IN AN ACTIVE LANE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE SHORT POWER CABLE WITH A LONGER ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2007-06-22 (June 22, 2007)

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD MY 2004 THROUGH 2007 VISION SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 9, 2003, AND SEPTEMBER 21, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH PARKER SINGLE CHECK VAVLES (SCV) PROVIDED BY BENDIX. THE DEFECT EXISTS IN THE PARKER SCV THAT CONNECTS WITH THE SUPPLY PORT OF THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE. AFTER PROLONGED USE OF THE PARKER SCV, THE VALVE BODY RETAINER MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN AND EVENTUALLY BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON. THESE CONDITIONS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, LEADING TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY, BRAKE DRAG, OR IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF PRIMARY CIRCUIT, INABILITY TO MODULATE THE SPRING BRAKES.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2008-05-20 (May 20, 2008)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 23,464 MY 2005 THROUGH 2009 ALL AMERICAN AND VISION SCHOOL AND TRANSIT MODEL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 22, 2004, AND MARCH 28, 2008, AND MY 2004 THROUGH 2007 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES AND CONVENTIONAL MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 6, 2003, THROUGH JUNE 16, 2006. THE RIVET PATTERN MAY BE INCORRECT IN SECTIONS OF THE REAR ROOF SHEET JOINT THAT ATTACHES TO THE REAR ROOF CAP. WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF ROOF RIVETS, THE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 221, "JOINT STRENGTH."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THESE PANELS MAY SEPARATE EXPOSING THE OCCUPANTS TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY ADDING ADDITIONAL RIVETS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2008-07-11 (July 11, 2008)

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE CHASSIS FRAME MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED OR RETAINED ON CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2009 MY BLUE BIRD VISION CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2004 THROUGH APRIL 22, 2008.

Consequence: IMPROPER ROUTING OR RETENTION OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES MAY RESULT IN BRAKE HOSES CHAFFING AGAINST THE BUS BODY AND/OR CHASSIS COMPONENTS WHICH COULD CAUSE A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2009-08-13 (August 13, 2009)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN, VISION, MICRO BIRD, AND CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 30, 2003 AND MAY 7, 2009. INCORRECT OFFSET LEG BARRIER PADS OR 2/3 SEAT BACK PADS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. BUSES WITH INCORRECT PADS INSTALLED FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT(S).

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2010-04-23 (April 23, 2010)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2009 VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2003 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24, 2008. THE POWER CABLES RUNNING TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT STUD AND DRIVER'S CONTROL MODULE STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH THE LUG (EYELET) FLAT SIDE UP. WHEN THIS CONDITION EXISTS, VIBRATION MAY WEAR THE INSULATION PERMITTING DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE BARE LUG AND THE PDU OR DCM WHICH COULD CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MAY 26, 2020. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2010-04-23 (April 23, 2010)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2009 VISION NON-SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 2003 THROUGH JULY 2, 2008. THE POWER CABLES RUNNING TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT STUD AND DRIVER'S CONTROL MODULE STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH THE LUG (EYELET) FLAT SIDE UP. WHEN THIS CONDITION EXISTS, VIBRATION MAY WEAR THE INSULATION PERMITTING DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE BARE LUG AND THE PDU OR DCM WHICH COULD CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 26, 2020. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VISION CONVENTIONAL STYLE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 26, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2004. THE STARTER CABLE MAY CONTACT AND POTENTIALLY CHAFE AGAINST THE STEEL BRAIDED POWER STEERING HOSE THEREBY CREATING A DIRECT SHORT.

Consequence: A SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT BUSES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STARTER CABLE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE. BUSES FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WILL HAVE A CLAMP INSTALLED TO PREVENT FURTHER CONTACT. ANY DAMAGED POWER STEERING HOSES OR STARTER CABLES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VISION CONVENTIONAL STYLE NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 26, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2004. THE STARTER CABLE MAY CONTACT AND POTENTIALLY CHAFE AGAINST THE STEEL BRAIDED POWER STEERING HOSE THEREBY CREATING A DIRECT SHORT.

Consequence: A SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT BUSES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STARTER CABLE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE. BUSES FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WILL HAVE A CLAMP INSTALLED TO PREVENT FURTHER CONTACT. ANY DAMAGED POWER STEERING HOSES OR STARTER CABLES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2012 ALL AMERICAN, 2006 THROUGH 2011 VISION, AND 2006 CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 19, 2005, AND MAY 3, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH 2-PASSENGER SEATS INSTALLED FORWARD OF THE 39" BARRIER. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BARRIER MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE 2-PASSENGER SEAT INSTALLED FORWARD OF THE BARRIER. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2021 Vision and 2007-2013 All American school buses. The floor-mounted parking brake may fail to hold the vehicle stationary on an incline when the vehicle is loaded to its maximum weight, due to an insufficient application force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."

Consequence: A parking brake system that is set to an insufficient application force may result in an increased possibility of unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and correct the application force, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AO-SB.