The defect
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." ONE OR MORE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE DRIVER'S PLATFORM TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WAS OMITTED.
The risk
THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S PLATFORM MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RETAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO PASSENGERS.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED UNITS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2003. 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 478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY
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 ALL American | 2002 | 1 | 14 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2003 | 2 | 11 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2004 | 10 | 15 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1991 | 0 | 12 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1992 | 1 | 14 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1993 | 2 | 14 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1994 | 9 | 14 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1995 | 7 | 18 |
| 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 |
Other structure recalls in 2003
21 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the structure; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 03V535000 18 Dec 2003 | BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC |
| 03V533000 12 Dec 2003 | TRAIL KING INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 03V469000 12 Nov 2003 | BENSON INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 03V439000 4 Nov 2003 | GLAVAL BUS DIVISION |
| 03V458000 24 Oct 2003 | CHAMPION BUS, INC. |
| 03V403000 16 Oct 2003 | MID BUS CORPORATION |
| 03V350000 26 Sept 2003 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 03V354000 23 Sept 2003 | IC CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003