The defect
Blue Bird Corporation is recalling certain model year Ultra LF transit buses manufactured March 14, 2003, through March 12, 2007. Cracks may develop in the bracket which secures the power steering gear to the bus frame.
The risk
If left unchecked, the cracks may propagate and cause a separation of the steering gear from the bus frame. This would result in a loss of steering control, possibly increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install reinforcement plates, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
Components: STRUCTURE | STEERING
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 Ultra LF | 2003 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2004 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2005 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2006 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
Other structure recalls in 2013
25 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the structure; Blue Bird Body Company filed 162 campaigns in all.
| 13V608000 4 Dec 2013 | Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD |
| 13V591000 22 Nov 2013 | Volvo Bus Corporation |
| 13V581000 20 Nov 2013 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 13V582000 20 Nov 2013 | Jet Company, Inc. |
| 13V559000 7 Nov 2013 | Starcraft RV, Inc. |
| 13V558000 7 Nov 2013 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 13V501000 17 Oct 2013 | Cheetah Chassis Corporation |
| 13V468000 18 Sept 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013