RoadVitals

2008 Blue Bird L4RE

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Sep 19, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Blue Bird L4RE. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V457000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Sep 19, 2013
4,061 units potentially affected
The defect: North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
North American Bus Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number 20136View on NHTSA.gov
13V011000

STEERING; STRUCTURE

Jan 11, 2013
53 units potentially affected
The defect: North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE transit buses manufactured July 1, 2007, through October 31, 2009. The buses may have a defective steering gear attachment. Cracks may develop in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame or the bus frame may crack around the bolts that attach the steering gear bracket to the frame.
The risk: If left unchecked, the cracks may propagate and cause partial separation of the steering gear from the bus frame. This would cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy: NABI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296.
North American Bus Industries, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
08V434000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Aug 26, 2008
15 units potentially affected
The defect: NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING 15 MY 2007-2008 BLUE-BIRD L4RE AND C4RE TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH C7 OR C9 CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET CHECK PLUG MAY BE CRACKED WHICH COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY AND LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NABI IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR (PLEASE SEE 08E042). CATERPILLAR WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP PLUG FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986, OR NABI AT 1-888-391-1777.
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 2008-3View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM1601

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Blue Bird Troubleshooting Guides: Blue Bird announcement of the addition of troubleshooting guides for assisting in the service of the Blue Bird products. These troubleshooting guides are available on the Vantage website.

L3 FSV-102

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NBI): THE FAILURE OF UPPER RADIATOR SUPPORT MAY BE CONTRIBUTE TO MISALIGNMENT OF UPPER RADIATOR SUPPORT ROD, THAT MAY NEED REINFORCEMENT. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

L3-FSV-100

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NBI): AN UPDATED REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET REPLACES OLD SPRING BRACKET TO ENHANCE SERVICEABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY AND DURABILITY. MODEL L4RE, UNKNOWN YEAR. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Blue Bird L4RE by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009020—
2008Viewing030—
2007040—
2006010—
2005010—
2004110—
2003010—
2002010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.