The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A POSITIVE HOLD OPEN DEVICE (RETAINER) FOR THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk
THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN UNTIL IT WAS RELEASED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR RETAINER. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE RETAINER IF THEY SO DESIRE.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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 Micro Bird | 1994 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1995 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1997 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1994 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1995 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Vcta | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
Other structure recalls in 1998
17 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the structure; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 98V330000 23 Dec 1998 | LES ENTERPRISES M.CORBEIL |
| 98V327000 18 Dec 1998 | SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. |
| 98V323000 16 Dec 1998 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 98V301000 1 Dec 1998 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 98V280000 5 Nov 1998 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 98V271000 27 Oct 1998 | JAGUAR CARS |
| 98V208000 8 Sept 1998 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 98V200000 28 Aug 1998 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998