The defect
Blue Bird Corporation (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 All American and Conventional Vision non-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 |
| 13V543000 31 Oct 2013 | Blue Bird Body Company |
| 13V503000 17 Oct 2013 | Altec Industries Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013