The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 3,419 MY 2008 AND 2009 VISION CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2007 THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7 AND C7 07 ENGINES. INCORRECT BOLTS AND/OR SPACERS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO ATTACH THE FAN BLADE TO THE FAN CLUTCH.
The risk
AS A RESULT, THE FAN BLADE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CLUTCH AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS IN OR NEAR THE FRONT OF THE BUS. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SERVICED WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINE RUNNING UNTIL THE BOLTS/SPACERS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND, IF NEEDED, REPLACED.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Vision | 2008, 2009 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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 | 2008 | 1 | 30 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2009 | 6 | 28 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2009
37 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the engine and engine cooling; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 09V499000 30 Dec 2009 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 09V482000 17 Dec 2009 | SUTPHEN CORPORATION |
| 09V473000 14 Dec 2009 | BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC. |
| 09V471000 10 Dec 2009 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 09V466000 3 Dec 2009 | SEAGRAVE FIRE APPARATUS, LLC |
| 09V464000 2 Dec 2009 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. |
| 09V459000 1 Dec 2009 | NEWELL COACH CORP. |
| 09V455000 30 Nov 2009 | SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009