The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HENDRICKSON REAR AIR SUSPENSION. INADEQUATE TIGHTENING OF THE 5/8" BOLTS ON THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HANGER BOLTS AND ON REAR AXLE TORQUE ARM AXLE SEAT STUDS.
The risk
INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING PERMITS MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPONENTS THAT COULD RESULT IN BOLTS AND STUDS BREAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE 5/8" GRADE 8-HANGER BOLTS. IN ADDITION, AXLE SPRING SEAT FASTENERS WILL BE CHECKED FOR PROPER TIGHTNESS AND, IF NEEDED, TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 18, 2002. 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 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: SUSPENSION
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 | 1999 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2000 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2001 | 1 | 14 |
| 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 | 1999 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2000 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Q-BUS | 2001 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1999 | 5 | 15 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2000 | 1 | 12 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2001 | 0 | 12 |
Other suspension recalls in 2001
44 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the suspension; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 01V377000 11 Dec 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V363000 29 Nov 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V361000 28 Nov 2001 | GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V359000 13 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V317001 22 Oct 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V332000 17 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V328000 11 Oct 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V325000 10 Oct 2001 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001