The defect
CERTAIN BLUE BIRD MY 2004 THROUGH 2007 VISION SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 9, 2003, AND SEPTEMBER 21, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH PARKER SINGLE CHECK VAVLES (SCV) PROVIDED BY BENDIX. THE DEFECT EXISTS IN THE PARKER SCV THAT CONNECTS WITH THE SUPPLY PORT OF THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE. AFTER PROLONGED USE OF THE PARKER SCV, THE VALVE BODY RETAINER MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN AND EVENTUALLY BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON. THESE CONDITIONS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, LEADING TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY, BRAKE DRAG, OR IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF PRIMARY CIRCUIT, INABILITY TO MODULATE THE SPRING BRAKES.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Vision | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
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 Vision | 2004 | 0 | 17 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2005 | 1 | 15 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2006 | 0 | 17 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2007 | 3 | 21 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2007
23 of the 587 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2007 concerned the service brakes, air; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 07V571000 18 Dec 2007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 07V447000 24 Sept 2007 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 07V406000 6 Sept 2007 | GREAT DANE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
| 07V392000 30 Aug 2007 | NEWELL COACH CORP. |
| 07V373000 22 Aug 2007 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 07V361000 15 Aug 2007 | MACK TRUCKS, INC |
| 07V302000 16 Jul 2007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 07V256000 13 Jun 2007 | KALMAR INDUSTRIES CORP |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2007