The defect
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2004 Ultra LMB, 2003-2006 Ultra LF and 2004-2007 Express commercial buses equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WN.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Express 4000 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LF | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| Blue Bird Ultra LMB | 2004 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 Express 4000 | 2004 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Express 4000 | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Express 4000 | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Express 4000 | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2004 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2006 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2007 | 0 | 2 |
| 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 LMB | 2004 | 0 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2013
76 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the electrical system; Blue Bird Body Company filed 162 campaigns in all.
| 13V640000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V639000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V642000 19 Dec 2013 | Nova Bus |
| 13V635000 18 Dec 2013 | Zero Motorcycles Inc. |
| 13V627000 17 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V589000 22 Nov 2013 | Maserati North America, Inc. |
| 13V570000 15 Nov 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V566000 13 Nov 2013 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013