VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A COMBINATION SPICER J230 REAR AXLE

Feb 23, 2001 — Recall Campaign #01V060000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A COMBINATION SPICER J230 REAR AXLE, SPRING SUSPENSION, AND CREWSON BRUNNER AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. THE CREWSON BRUNNER SLACK ADJUSTER CONTACTS A U-BOLT MOUNTING BRACKET WHEN A COMBINATION OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS ARE INSTALLED. THE COMBINATION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR FULL EXTENSION OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 460 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

01V060000

Manufacturer:	Blue Bird Body Company
Recall date:	February 23, 2001
NHTSA Campaign #:	01V060000
Units affected:	460

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A COMBINATION SPICER J230 REAR AXLE, SPRING SUSPENSION, AND CREWSON BRUNNER AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. THE CREWSON BRUNNER SLACK ADJUSTER CONTACTS A U-BOLT MOUNTING BRACKET WHEN A COMBINATION OF THE LISTED COMPONENTS ARE INSTALLED. THE COMBINATION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR FULL EXTENSION OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Consequeces:: THIS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FOR REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSTALL MODIFIED U-BOLT BRACKETS THAT WILL PROVIDE THE NEEDED CLEARANCE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021.
Notes:: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2001 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN Complaints
DT: THE CALLER RECEIVED RECALL ON CUMMINS ISB ENGINE THAT INVOLVED ENGINE STALLING AND FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE. BUT COULD NOT GET THE WORK DONE. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER. THE RECALLS INVOLVED FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACEMENT. THE CALLER HAD A TOTAL OF 6 RECALLS, AND FIRST TOOK ONE OF THE BUSSES TO THE FRIEGHTLINER DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPAIRED ONE, BUT INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT NOT TO BRING ANYMORE BACK. ALSO, THE CONTACT CONTACTED CUMMINS, WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE PETERBUILT DEALER, BUT THEY ADVISED THE CALLER THAT THEY WON'T DO THE WORK BECAUSE CUMMINS WAS NOT PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY STATED THAT CUMMINS WAS ONLY PAYING FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR AND IT TOOK ABOUT 8 HOURS OF LABOR TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD ONE BUS AT AN AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALER IN ANOTHER CITY, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT, AND WON'T BE ABLE TO REPAIR ANYMORE. OWNER IS CONCERNED THEY WON'T BE REPAIRED AND WILL HAVE TO BE USED EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE RECALLED. THERE WERE SIX BUSES, AND THE CONTACT DID NOT WISH TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON EACH INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE. *AK;
2001 BLUE BIRD COMMERCIAL Complaints
THE PUBLIC TRANSIT COMPANY THAT I USE TO COMUTE TO WORK FOR A 55 MINUTES EACH WAY USES BLUE BIRD BUSES. THE TRANSIT COMPANY IS YUBA-SUTTER TRANSIT BASED IN MARYSVILLE, CA. THE NEWER BLUE BIRD BUSES LACK APPROPRIATE VENTILATION. TODAY, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 DEGREES, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING/VENTILATION SYSTEM FAILED TO COOL THE BUSES INTERIOR. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE BUSES GETS EXTREMELY HOT. THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER RIDE IN THIS HEAT FOR THE BETTER PART OF AN HOUR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS POSES A HEALTH THREAT TO PASSENGERS ,AND IT MAY WELL INHIBIT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFETY DUE TO POSSIBLE DEHYDRATION, HEAT-INDUCED FATIUGE AND THE IMPACT OF PROLENGED HEAT EXPOSURE TO THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO FOCUS PROPERLY. THE BLUE BIRD COMPANY SHOULD BE REQUIRE TO RETROFIT THE BUSES TO PROVIDE AIR COOLING AND VENTILATION.*AK;