The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2012 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 12, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 27, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A 60 GALLON FUEL TANK. THE TANK RETURN LINE CAN DEVELOP A LEAK THAT EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLAGE ALLOWED. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
The risk
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2012. 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, 2012 |
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2012 | 0 | 30 |
Other fuel system, diesel recalls in 2011
5 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the fuel system, diesel; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 11V490000 3 Oct 2011 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC |
| 11V496000 3 Oct 2011 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 11V478000 16 Sept 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V441000 19 Aug 2011 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011