The defect
ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL STYLE SCHOOL BUSES, ONLY THOSE EQUIPPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE UNDERHOOD FIREWALL LOCATION OF THE AIR BRAKE MANIFOLD MAY PERMIT RAINWATER ENTRY INTO THE PARKING BRAKE EXHAUST PORT FITTING OF THE MANIFOLD. IN FREEZING WEATHER, THIS WATER COULD FORM ICE BLOCKING THE EXHAUST PORT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED.
The risk
IN THE EVENT THAT THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR AND THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO APPLY, THE BUS COULD ROLL AWAY, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 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 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Vision | 2004 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
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 Vision | 2004 | 0 | 17 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2003
79 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the service brakes, air; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 03V518000 10 Dec 2003 | WELLCO MANUFACTURING, INC. |
| 03V501000 5 Dec 2003 | FEATHERLITE, INC. |
| 03V500000 4 Dec 2003 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 03V441000 4 Nov 2003 | HACKNEY |
| 03V433000 4 Nov 2003 | HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD |
| 03V432000 4 Nov 2003 | STRICK CORPORATION |
| 03V430000 3 Nov 2003 | TRAILMOBILE CORP. |
| 03V431000 3 Nov 2003 | RED RHINO TRAILER MANUFACTURING |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003