Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford

May 05, 2020 — Recall Campaign #20V249000

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford 6.8L gasoline engines with an optional right-hand mounted parking brake lever. Due to improper routing of the parking brake cables, the parking brake cable may contact and chafe the gasoline fuel line, potentially causing a fuel leak.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 352 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

20V249000

Manufacturer:	Blue Bird Body Company
Recall date:	May 05, 2020
NHTSA Campaign #:	20V249000
Units affected:	352

Description:: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford 6.8L gasoline engines with an optional right-hand mounted parking brake lever. Due to improper routing of the parking brake cables, the parking brake cable may contact and chafe the gasoline fuel line, potentially causing a fuel leak.
Consequeces:: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective action:: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the parking brake cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AQ-SB.
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2021 BLUE BIRD VISION SCHOOL BUS Complaints
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.;