BLUE BIRD Complaints

* Propane Barrier Tank Bracket cracks at fastener locations * Michigan State Police Identified as a violation *Any fuel tank impact protection cage that fails to comply with FMVSS301 * Inspected by Michigan State Police, OEM Bus dealer *No warning, found on safety inspection

There is an issue with the braking systems on the Bluebird buses which cause the brake lights to illuminate constantly, fail to illuminate, limit acceleration, and/or receive a "loss of brake input" warning message on the dash cluster. We have 43 Buses of like Year Models ranging from 2021 - 2022 Bluebird, Vision, that we have documented 38 separate repairs for 28 buses in our fleet related to the braking system. The brake pedal experiences excessive back travel that causes damage to the brake switch (part number 10026469). The cause of the excessive back travel is a gap between the pedal stop, rubber bumper, and switch mounting bracket. There is not enough adjustment area in the switch mounting bracket to prevent the excessive brake pedal back travel. Once the brake switch becomes damaged multiple issues become possible. There is potential for constant brake light illumination, no brake light illumination, a loss of brake input warning message, and sudden stopping of vehicle acceleration. The brake light illumination is not found consistently during the pre-trip inspection process due to the usage of the pre-trip lighting sequence button that provides false confidence that the brake lights are working properly. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The brake switch failed parts are being returned to Bluebird for Warranty parts replacement. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The multiple symptoms listed above produce various safety issues for the buses and other vehicles on the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, Multiple vehicles have experienced the same issue and the switches are being replaced as a repair. Multiple vehicles have reoccurring issues with the replaced switches. The local dealer has gone to the manufacturing facility and addressed the issue them.

The contact's School District owns a 2012 Blue Bird Conventional School Bus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V234000 (Parking Brake). The contact stated that the recall remedy required sufficient application force for the floor-mounted parking brake at 90 - 95 pounds, which was inoperable for the bus drivers. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the recall remedy met the requirements of FMVSS Number 105 (Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Battery boxes had a recall to remove supports leaving the battery box very unstable after running the box broke allowing batteries to fall down. this has affected several of my school buses with this box

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER REPORTED AN OIL LEAK AT THE REAR OF THE LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER. I INSPECTED THE BUS AND SAW A LOT OF OIL ON THE FRAME AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE AREA. CHECKED THE VALVE COVER BOLTS FOR TIGHTNESS AND FOUND THE BOLTS TO BE TIGHT. AT THE REAR OF THIS VALVE COVER THE AREA IS VERY TIGHT AND THERE ARE HOSES AND WIRES RAN BETWEEN THE VALVE COVER AND THE FIREWALL. I WAS ABLE TO PHYSICALLY MOVE THESE AND FEEL AROUND THE AREA AND DISCOVERED THAT A HOLE HAS BEEN RUBBED COMPLETELT THROUGH THE FIREWALL, THIS IS WHERE THE OIL IS COMING FROM. AM NOT ABLE TO TAKE CLEAR PICTURES BECAUSE OF THE SPACE CONSTRAINTS. I GOT UNDERNEATH OF THE BUS AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL HAS BEEN GETTING ONTO THE EXHAUST ALSO, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS UNKNOWN IF IT WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS BUS IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE. *LN *AS

REAR BRAKE WEAR EXCESSIVE THIS SCHOOL BUS REQUIRES REAR BRAKES EVERY 5000 MILES AND AT TIMES EVEN LESS HAVING BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BLUE BIRD AND GETTING NO FACTORY HELP ITS TIME TO SEEK HELP

THE MINI LORRY IS GOING SO FAST IN THE CITY OVER TAKING OTHER VEHICULAR N HE WAS DRIVING VERY RASHLY

VEHICLE FLIPS COMPRESSOR BELTS OFF FREQUENTLY BRAKE PEDDLE SWITCH FAILS AND BENDS MOUNTING BRACKETS CAUSING BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND VEHICLE TO GO INTO DERATE MODE IN MOTION FOR BOTH. */BF.. *DT *DT*JB *TR*JB *DT*JB *DT

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECOMES COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE OPERATOR UNAWARE OF ANY MALFUNCTIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ...*BF.. UPDATED 10/29/18*JB *DT *JB

HEADLIGHTS HAVE A REFLECTOR OVER THE 9007 TYPE BULB THAT IS HELD ON BY AN UPPER AND LOWER SCREW. DURING INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE UPPER SCREWS OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS CAME OUT. THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING ON OUR OTHER BUS OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS VIN NUMBER LATER. NEW HEADLIGHTS OF THIS TYPE DO NOT USE THE SCREWS, BUT INSTEAD HAS A REFLECTOR THAT LOOKS LIKE IT SNAPS INTO PLACE.