The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ALL AMERICAN D3 MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED WITH 20 GAUGE OUTSIDE SIDE PANELS FROM APRIL 23, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2010. THE SIDE PANEL JOINT ADHESIVE THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE USED TO ADHERE THE PANELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN USED DURING PRODUCTION. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE PANEL JOINTS MAY NOT ENDURE AS INTENDED AND THE PANELS MAY LOOSEN OR SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO PASSENGERS.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS ADD ADDITIONAL RIVETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2011. 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 | 2011 |
Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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 | 2011 | 0 | 35 |
Other structure recalls in 2010
25 of the 647 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2010 concerned the structure; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 10V659000 29 Dec 2010 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 10V655000 29 Dec 2010 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC - DBA SPRINTER |
| 10V627000 15 Dec 2010 | CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC. |
| 10V590000 22 Nov 2010 | HEIL ENVIRONMENTAL |
| 10V570000 11 Nov 2010 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 10V465000 5 Oct 2010 | ALTEC INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 10V411000 13 Sept 2010 | BENTLEY MOTORS LTD |
| 10V357000 2 Aug 2010 | DUCATI NORTH AMERICA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2010