Blue Bird Body Company: Safety Recalls in 2003
Updated on March 19, 2026.
There were 10 safety recalls made by Blue Bird Body Company in 2003. See the details of the recalls below.
You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.
Data Source: NHTSA.
December 4, 2003
(Campaign #: R03HL)
BLUE BIRD/FREEZING IN THE PARK BRAKE VALVE EXHAUST
ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL STYLE SCHOOL BUSES, ONLY THOSE EQUIPPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE UNDERHOOD FIREWALL LOCATION OF THE AIR BRAKE MANIFOLD MAY PERMIT RAINWATER ENTRY INTO THE PARKING BRAKE EXHAUST PORT FITTING OF THE MANIFOLD. IN FREEZING WEATHER, THIS WATER COULD FORM ICE BLOCKING THE EXHAUST PORT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA ID: 03V498000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 417
Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT THAT THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR AND THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO APPLY, THE BUS COULD ROLL AWAY, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
October 15, 2003
(Campaign #: R03HE)
BLUE BIRD/ENGINE AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER/OVERHEATS
2004 MY BLUE BIRD VISION CONVENTIONAL TYPE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 12, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24, 2003. THE BUS BAR THAT CONNECTS THE AMMETER SHUNT TO THE ENGINE INTAKE GRID HEATER MEGAFUSE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THIS BUS BAR CREATES EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AND POTENTIAL OVERHEATING IN THE GRID HEATER POWER CIRCUIT.
NHTSA ID: 03V401000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
# of Units Affected: 401
Consequence Summary:
THIS ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING AT THE MEGAFUSE HOLDER WITH POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Corrective Action:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
October 8, 2003
(Campaign #: R03GZ)
BLUE BIRD/FMVSS 221/FLOOR STRUCTURE BOLTS
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." ONE OR MORE OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE DRIVER'S PLATFORM TO THE FLOOR STRUCTURE WAS OMITTED.
NHTSA ID: 03V363000
Component: STRUCTURE
# of Units Affected: 8,088
Consequence Summary:
THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S PLATFORM MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RETAINED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO PASSENGERS.
Corrective Action:
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED UNITS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
October 8, 2003
(Campaign #: R03HC)
BLUE BIRD/SEAT BELT BOLTS
ON CERTAIN REAR ENGINE (A3RE) SCHOOL BUSES, THE TYPE AND LOCATION OF THE FASTENERS USED TO RETAIN THE SEAT BELT IN THE LAST ROW OF SEATS DOES NOT CONFORM TO BLUE BIRD ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA ID: 03V362000
Component: SEAT BELTS
# of Units Affected: 233
Consequence Summary:
THIS INSTALLATION MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN SEAT BELTS IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE CRASH.
Corrective Action:
BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE ITS DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS THE PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE CORRECT FASTENERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE PARTS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
October 8, 2003
(Campaign #: R03HB)
BLUE BIRD/SEATS EQUIPPED W/OPTIONAL SEAT BELTS
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SEAT BELTS OR SEAT BELT "READY" SEATS, SOME BELTS WERE INSTALLED WITH ONLY TWO BOLTS RATHER THAN THE REQUIRED THREE (3) BOLTS.
NHTSA ID: 03V364000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 3,825
Consequence Summary:
THESE SEATS COULD DETACH FROM THE WALL SIDE ATTACHMENT POINTS IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Corrective Action:
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO INSTALL THE MISSING BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO ON NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
September 26, 2003
(Campaign #: R03GX)
BLUE BIRD/LOOMED POWER CABLES
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE POWER CABLES THAT RUN FROM THE STARTER TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTOR UNIT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE FRONT FLOOR PANEL, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA ID: 03V355000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 486
Consequence Summary:
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN THE SHUT DOWN OF ENGINE PARTS OR RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Corrective Action:
BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL REVISED CABLE MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
May 5, 2003
(Campaign #: R03GW)
BLUE BIRD/FRONT SUSPENSION MODULES
CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION MODULES MANUFACTURED AND ASSEMBLED BY ARVINMERITOR AT ITS FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY FACILITY, AND SOLD EXCUSIVELY TO BLUE BIRD. SOME OF THE CAPSCREWS ATTACHING THE CONTROL ARMS TO THE SUBFRAME WERE NOT TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION ALLOWING THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
NHTSA ID: 03V174000
Component: SUSPENSION
# of Units Affected: 31
Consequence Summary:
LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE CAPSCREWS IF NECESSARY. THIS INSPECTION WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. ARVINMERITOR HAS NOT PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A NOTIFICATION PROGRAM AS OF YET.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
March 31, 2003
(Campaign #: R03GV)
BLUE BIRD/ITR/HURRICANE HOT WATER HEATER
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH INTERNATIONAL THERMAL RESEARCH (ITR)HURRICANE HOT WATER HEATERS, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOARD MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT SAFETY FEATURES IN SOME OF THE SYSTEMS PROTECTING AGAINST OVERHEATING AND POTENTIAL FIRE SITUATION.
NHTSA ID: 03V131000
Component: EQUIPMENT
# of Units Affected: 21
Consequence Summary:
IF THE SAFETY FEATURES DO NOT SHUT DOWN PROPERLY, THE HEATING SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE HEATING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Corrective Action:
THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOARD WILL BE REPLACED. IN THE MEANTIME, CUSTOMERS SHOULD TURN THE SYSTEM OFF USING THE MASTER ON/OFF SWITCH LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOX WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE HEATER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORHOMES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ITR AT 1-800-755-1272 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
March 28, 2003
(Campaign #: NR (Not Reported))
BLUE BIRD/ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB 6 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACE OR MOUNTING HARDWARE CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK WHICH WILL ALLOW THE ALTERNATOR TO DROP ONTO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ID: 03V085000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
# of Units Affected: 4,302
Consequence Summary:
IN THIS EVENT, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE MAY EXIST.
Corrective Action:
CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
February 12, 2003
(Campaign #: R03GT)
BLUE BIRD/BRAKE HOSE ROUTING
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE HOSES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED PROPERLY RESULTING IN THE HOSES CONTACTING THE FRAME.
NHTSA ID: 03V044000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
# of Units Affected: 8
Consequence Summary:
THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE HOSE TO LEAK AFFECTING STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE REAR BRAKE HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
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