The defect
ON CERTAIN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB ENGINES, THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER COULD CHAFE AGAINST ENGINE COMPONENTS.
The risk
THE HARNESS CAN WEAR THROUGH CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO ADD A BRACKET TO SUPPORT THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE ENGINE COMPONENTS. BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT HARNESS FOR ANY HARNESSES FOUND ABRADED AND WILL REIMBURSE THE CUSTOMER FOR THE LABOR REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 29, 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 | 2002, 2003 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 2002, 2003 |
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 | 2002 | 1 | 14 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2003 | 2 | 11 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 2002 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Commercial Series | 2003 | 0 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2002
34 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the electrical system; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 02V338000 16 Dec 2002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 02V324000 6 Dec 2002 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V288000 6 Nov 2002 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V284000 30 Oct 2002 | MOTOR COACH IND., INC. |
| 02V267000 1 Oct 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V259000 20 Sept 2002 | PLEASURE-WAY INDUSTRIES LTD. |
| 02V256000 18 Sept 2002 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 02V233000 5 Sept 2002 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002