The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE WALL SIDE ATTACHING BOLTS FOR SOME OF THE PASSENGER SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE AND IN THE WRONG ATTACHING HOLE RESULTING IN WEAKENING OF THE SEAT LEDGE AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE REAR ATTACHING BOLT OF THESE SEATS COULD PULL OUT OF THE SEAT LEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by OVSC
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Blue Bird Mini Bird | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Blue Bird TC2000 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
Components: SEATS
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 Conventional | 1987 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1988 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1989 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1990 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1991 | 7 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1992 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1993 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1994 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1995 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1996 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1997 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 1999 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1987 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1988 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1989 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1990 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1991 | 0 | 2 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1992 | 0 | 3 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1993 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1994 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1995 | 0 | 5 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1996 | 0 | 4 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Gpwb | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1987 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1988 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1989 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 1990 | 0 | 1 |
Other seats recalls in 1999
14 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the seats; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 99V298000 27 Oct 1999 | MID BUS INCORPORATED |
| 99V252000 17 Sept 1999 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 99V246000 13 Sept 1999 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 99V212000 6 Aug 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V175000 2 Jul 1999 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 99V173000 2 Jul 1999 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 99V139000 4 Jun 1999 | ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORS, INC. |
| 99V130000 20 May 1999 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999