The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REAR MOUNTED ENGINES. THE 12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE(S) MAY BE CHAFFED BY HOSES, HARNESSES, FRAME COMPONENTS, OR CLAMPS.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE 12-VOLT POWER CABLE(S) FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 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 1-912-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 | 1998 | 1 | 9 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 1999 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2000 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2001 | 1 | 14 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1998 | 0 | 7 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1999 | 0 | 11 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 2000 | 0 | 7 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 2001 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1999 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2000 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2001 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1996 | 3 | 13 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1997 | 0 | 8 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1998 | 0 | 17 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1999 | 5 | 15 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2000 | 1 | 12 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2001 | 0 | 12 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the electrical system; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 01V387000 17 Dec 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V370000 13 Dec 2001 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC. |
| 01V366000 4 Dec 2001 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 01V369000 20 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V350000 15 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V294000 17 Sept 2001 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V288000 10 Sept 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V292000 10 Sept 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001