BLUE BIRD Complaints

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. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LOWER SCREW OF THE LEFT HEADLIGHT CAME OUT, LEAVING THE REFLECTOR LYING LOOSE INSIDE. THIS NECESSITATED PURCHASING A NEW HEADLIGHT. THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING ON OUR OTHER BUS OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS VIN NUMBER PRIOR. THE NEW HEADLIGHT PURCHASED DOES NOT USE THE SCREWS, BUT INSTEAD HAS A REFLECTOR THAT LOOKS LIKE IT SNAPS INTO PLACE.

FAILURE OF THE PROPORTIONING VALVE WHICH IS CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR ON THE REAR. THE VEHICLE HAS AIR DISC BRAKES. WE HAVE SEVERAL IN OUR FLEET THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. WE BROUGHT THE BUS IN FOR SERVICE AND UPON INSPECTING THE BRAKES WE DISCOVERED THE ISSUE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY WE PURCHASED THE BUSES FROM AND I WAS TOLD THEY KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND THEY HAD A FIX BUT IT WOULD COST US $250. MY QUESTION IS WHO APPROVED THE FIX AND WHERE CAN I FIND IT IN WRITING. THEY ARE NOT REPLACING THE VALVE, THEY ARE PUTTING ON A QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN THE REAR.

ON 12.05.17 THE INVOLVED BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT AND DESPITE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SLOW THE BUS BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, GEAR 1 THEN GEAR 2 AND POSSIBLY OTHER EFFORTS (WE HAVE VIDEO DEMONSTRATING THIS), THE BUS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL COMING TO REST FOLLOWING IMPACT WITH A DITCH AND TREE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF A 5 YEAR OLD PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON A COUNTY DIRT ROAD. *TR *BF *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED. WHEN DRIVING, "MISSING BRAKE INPUT" FAULT CODE MAY BE DISPLAYED. HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOMS OF PREVIOUS RECALL R13WG.

BRAKE LIGHTS MAY REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED. WHEN DRIVING, "MISSING BRAKE INPUT" FAULT CODE MAY BE DISPLAYED. HAS SIMILAR SYMPTOMS OF PREVIOUS RECALL R13WG.

SIDE WINDOW OF SCHOOL BUS BROKE INTO SHARDS WHEN HIT BY A QUARTER THROWN BY A STUDENT. NOTIFIED LOCAL BLUEBIRD REP. 11/29/2017.. ALL THE SIDE WINDOWS WERE REPLACED W/ NEW. ADDITIONAL 3 OTHER BUSES CHANGED AS WELL AS THE TEMPER DATE CODE MATCHED ( 2/15)

THE FUEL LINES ON THESE ENGINES ARE HELD IN BY A PLASTIC CLIP. THE PLASTIC CLIP HAS A SHARP AREA ON THE CLIP WHICH THEN PUNCHES HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE THAT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THERE ARE THREE LINES THAT ARE HELD IN BY THESE CLIPS. THE HOLES THEN LEAK DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS.

MAIN FRAME RAILS CRACKING. FOUND BY MICHIGAN STATE POLICE INSPECTOR. BUS IS RED TAGGED AND RENDERED UNUSUABLE.

PLUG CORRODED ON ABS MODULE RESULTING IN POOR BRAKES. BUS WAS IN MOTION CONTACTED VEHICLE IN OPPOSING LANE(SIDE SWIPE) AND NEARLY STRUCK PARKED CAR IN EVENT. PART THAT FAILED WAS WABCO ABS MODULE ALUMINUM PLUG.

BUS WAS AT REST AT TRANSFER LOCATION WHEN DRILL HOLE PLUG FAILED DO TO CORROSION RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF FLUID. BRAKES AND STEERING ASSIST WERE BOTH EFFECTED.