The defect
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL HIGH BACK SEATS WITH 9" SPLIT SASH, PUSHOUT WINDOWS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE AFFECTED UNITS HAVE SEATS LOCATED INCORRECTLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PUSHOUT WINDOW OPENINGS.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY EXIT THE VEHICLE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE SEATS AND PUSHOUT WINDOWS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 24, 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 1-478-825-2021.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2001, 2002 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2001, 2002 |
Components: SEATS
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 Conventional | 2001 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2002 | 0 | 7 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2001 | 0 | 12 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 2002 | 0 | 11 |
Other seats recalls in 2002
8 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the seats; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 02V314000 19 Nov 2002 | VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC. |
| 02V307000 14 Nov 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V253000 17 Sept 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V251000 17 Sept 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V162000 14 Jun 2002 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 02V141000 20 May 2002 | MID BUS INCORPORATED |
| 02V134000 16 May 2002 | VERITRANS SPECIALTY VEHICLES |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002