The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 VISION SCHOOL BUSES. THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL ABS INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE ABS CIRCUIT IS DISCONNECTED AT THE MAIN ABS MODULE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS," AND FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
The risk
IN THE EVENT THE ABS CIRCUIT DISCONNECTS FROM THE MAIN ABS MODULE, THE BUS OPERATOR WOULD BE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE ASSOCIATED REDUCED BRAKING FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH STONERIDGE TO PRODUCE SOFTWARE THAT DEALERS CAN USE TO REPROGRAM THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL. BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS ONCE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE AFFECTED BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 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 Vision | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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 | 2007 | 3 | 21 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2008 | 1 | 30 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2009 | 6 | 28 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2010 | 2 | 25 |
| Blue Bird Vision | 2011 | 0 | 22 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2011
58 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the electrical system; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 11V603000 28 Dec 2011 | PIAGGIO USA, INC. |
| 11V598000 27 Dec 2011 | Karma Automotive LLC |
| 11V579000 15 Dec 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V577000 8 Dec 2011 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 11V548000 10 Nov 2011 | MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC |
| 11V523000 28 Oct 2011 | DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V503000 18 Oct 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V494000 11 Oct 2011 | JAYCO, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011