The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN, VISION, MICRO BIRD, AND CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 30, 2003 AND MAY 7, 2009. INCORRECT OFFSET LEG BARRIER PADS OR 2/3 SEAT BACK PADS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. BUSES WITH INCORRECT PADS INSTALLED FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT(S).
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
Components: SEATS
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 ALL American | 2004 | 10 | 15 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2005 | 1 | 13 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2006 | 2 | 15 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2007 | 4 | 21 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2008 | 4 | 32 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2009 | 3 | 33 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2010 | 0 | 42 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2004 | 0 | 7 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2005 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2006 | 0 | 8 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2007 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2008 | 1 | 7 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2008 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2009 | 0 | 14 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2010 | 0 | 12 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2004 | 0 | 17 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2005 | 1 | 15 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2006 | 0 | 17 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2007 | 3 | 21 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2008 | 1 | 30 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2009 | 6 | 28 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2010 | 2 | 25 |
Other seats recalls in 2009
9 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the seats; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 09V500000 30 Dec 2009 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 09V445000 18 Nov 2009 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 09V320000 7 Aug 2009 | GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. |
| 09V322000 7 Aug 2009 | GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. |
| 09V251000 6 Jul 2009 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 09V241000 29 Jun 2009 | GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. |
| 09V117000 9 Apr 2009 | CHRYSLER LLC |
| 09V099000 25 Mar 2009 | DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009