The defect
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 risk
THIS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FOR REDUCED BRAKING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Commercial | 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2000, 2001 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2000 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2001 | 1 | 14 |
| Blue Bird Commercial | 2000 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Commercial | 2001 | 1 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2000 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2001 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2000 | 1 | 12 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2001 | 0 | 12 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2001
29 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the service brakes, air; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 01V130003 11 Dec 2001 | ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS GROUP |
| 01V130002 9 Nov 2001 | ELDORADO NATIONAL |
| 01V320000 5 Oct 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V319000 1 Oct 2001 | BRENNER TANK, INC. |
| 01V299000 24 Sept 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 01V189006 21 Aug 2001 | FORETRAVEL, INC. |
| 01V189005 6 Aug 2001 | FORETRAVEL, INC. |
| 01V059003 1 Aug 2001 | NOVA BUS INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001