The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 29, 2006 THROUGH AUGUST 7, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB-02, ISB-07, AND ISB-10 ENGINES. AN INCORRECT COMBINATION OF FLAT WASHER AND SERRATED NUT WAS INSTALLED ON THE BOLT THAT SECURES THE STARTER CABLE RETAINING CLAMP TO ITS ATTACHING BRACKET AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE ABOVE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. THE FLAT WASHER PREVENTS THE SERRATED NUT FROM LOCKING AGAINST THE ATTACHING BRACKET. OVER TIME, THE SERRATED NUT MAY BACK OFF ALLOWING THE STARTER CABLE TO FALL AND CONTACT THE FAN HUB WHILE IN OPERATION.
The risk
IF THE STARTER CABLE CONTACTS THE FAN HUB WHILE THE FAN HUB IS IN OPERATION, THE CABLE COVERING MAY ABRADE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DIRECT SHORT. A SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010. 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 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 | 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 ALL American | 2011 | 0 | 35 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 2010
48 of the 647 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2010 concerned the engine and engine cooling; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 10V631000 20 Dec 2010 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 10V636000 15 Dec 2010 | ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA |
| 10V639000 14 Dec 2010 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTD |
| 10V632000 10 Dec 2010 | NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 10V638000 9 Dec 2010 | EXECUTIVE COACH BUILDERS |
| 10V574000 18 Nov 2010 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 10V576000 18 Nov 2010 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 10V579000 17 Nov 2010 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2010