The defect
CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE STRIKER PLATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMERGENCY PUSHOUT WINDOWS CAN WEAR A GROOVE INTO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE BOLT. IF THIS GROOVE BECOMES DEEP ENOUGH, THE EMERGENCY PUSH WINDOW MAY FAIL TO OPEN AS INTENDED WHEN RELEASED.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, FAILURE OF THE PUSHOUT WINDOW COULD POTENTIALLY TRAP PASSENGERS OR DELAY THEIR ESCAPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL SHIP REPAIR PARTS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO THE BUS OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-825-2021.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
Components: STRUCTURE
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 Ultra LF | 2002 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2003 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2004 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2005 | 0 | 6 |
Other structure recalls in 2005
29 of the 562 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2005 concerned the structure; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 05V573000 28 Dec 2005 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 05V561000 20 Dec 2005 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 05V534000 21 Nov 2005 | COTTRELL, INC. |
| 05V523000 16 Nov 2005 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 05V521000 9 Nov 2005 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 05V472000 13 Oct 2005 | LES ENTREPRISES M.CORBEIL |
| 05V471000 13 Oct 2005 | LES ENTREPRISES M.CORBEIL |
| 05V413000 20 Sept 2005 | SALEEN, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2005