The defect
Blue Bird Corporation (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 All American and Conventional school buses manufactured July 2, 2013, through October 3, 2013 and equipped with front suspension bolts marked with a "ZY" code on the bolt head. Due to a problem in the bolt manufacturing process, the bolts that hold the front suspension may break.
The risk
A broken suspension bolt would require greater steering input to control the bus, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension bolts. Any bolts with a "ZY" code will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R13WR.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2014 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2014 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 | 2014 | 0 | 26 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
Other suspension recalls in 2013
24 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the suspension; Blue Bird Body Company filed 162 campaigns in all.
| 13V628000 18 Dec 2013 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
| 13V622000 16 Dec 2013 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 13V560000 7 Nov 2013 | Terex Advance |
| 13V556000 6 Nov 2013 | Hyundai Motor Company |
| 13V550000 5 Nov 2013 | Kia Motors Corporation |
| 13V547000 31 Oct 2013 | Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America |
| 13V545000 31 Oct 2013 | Blue Bird Body Company |
| 13V503000 17 Oct 2013 | Altec Industries Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013