The defect
CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE BUSES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE, WHICH PROTECTS THE FRONT SERVICE BRAKE RESERVOIR.
The risk
LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD THE REQUIRED CHECK VALVE TO THE FRONT AIR BRAKE SERVICE RESERVOIR TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 121. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Express 4000 | 2004 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2004 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
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 Express 4000 | 2004 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2004 | 0 | 4 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2004
29 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the service brakes, air; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 04V536000 15 Nov 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V507000 26 Oct 2004 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 04V501000 19 Oct 2004 | KENTUCKY MANUFACTURING CO. |
| 04V502000 12 Oct 2004 | FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL |
| 04V423000 30 Aug 2004 | VAN HOOL, N.V. |
| 04V415000 25 Aug 2004 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 04V392000 10 Aug 2004 | SPECTOR MANUFACTURING, INC. |
| 04V377000 4 Aug 2004 | FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004