RoadVitals

1998 Blue Bird Ltc 40 Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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.
7
Newest Sep 5, 2002
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open 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.
0
2 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

7 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

02V230000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Sep 5, 2002
194 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN COACHES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL RESTROOM FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE PUSHOUT WINDOW LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AT THE REAR OF THE BUS, IS SUBSTANTIALLY OBSTRUCTED BY THE RESTROOM AND YET IT IS LABELED AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY EXIT THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE THE LABEL IDENTIFYING THE WINDOW AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242, IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R02GFView on NHTSA.gov
02V197000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Jul 23, 2002
150 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TOUR TYPE COACHES EQUIPPED WITH PARCEL RACKS, IRREGULARITIES IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE FASTENERS USED TO RETAIN THE PARCEL RACKS TO THE COACH STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN THE FASTENERS LOOSENING ALLOWING THE PARCEL RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THE FASTENERS BECOME DISLODGED AND THE RACKS SHOULD FALL WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO IMMEDIATELY INSTALL INTERIM REPAIR BOLTS THROUGH THE COACH ROOF BOW STRUCTURE ON THE AISLE SIDE OF THE FIRST TWO PARCEL RACK SECTIONS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE PARCEL RACKS ON ALL AFFECTED COACHES. FINAL REPAIRS CAN THEN BE COMPLETED AT A LATER DATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 24, 2002. 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.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R02GDView on NHTSA.gov
02V154000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jun 13, 2002
436 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TOUR COACHES, A 'CHECK TRANS' WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS REQUIRED BY ALLISON TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WAS OMITTED. IN THE EVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONS (LOOSES POWER OR SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT), THE COMPUTER WILL STOP ACCEPTING INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR UNIT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE HELD IN THE LAST VALID RANGE SELECTED. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE SELECTED DISPLAY ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR WILL BE BLANK OR A DASH, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT A MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.
The risk: THE DRIVER MAY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND REMAIN IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A "CHECK TRANS" WARNING LIGHT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2002. 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.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R02GAView on NHTSA.gov
01V076000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Mar 16, 2001
88 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE AN R12-DC VALVE OR SECONDARY CONTROL LINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE REQUIRED VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27, 2001. 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 1-912-822-2242.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R01EVView on NHTSA.gov
00V162000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL/VALVE

Jun 12, 2000
9,687 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX AIR BRAKES. BENDIX CHANGED THE INTERNAL DESIGN OF THE QR1C RELAY VALVE BY ADDING A HOLE IN THE INTERNAL DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM ALIGNS WITH THE HOLE IN THE VALVE BODY, THE BRAKE APPLICATION TIME INCREASES.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, DRIVER ACTIVATES THE PARKING BRAKE BUT REMOVES FOOT FROM THE THREADLE VALVE, THE BUS COULD ROLL BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R00DXView on NHTSA.gov
99V330000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Nov 22, 1999
38 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THE FASTENERS USED TO ATTACH PARCEL RACKS TO BODY STRUCTURE MAY BECOME DISLODGED ALLOWING THE RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IF THE PARCEL RACKS FELL, A PASSENGER COULD BE INJURED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES, BY REMOVING THE PARCEL RACK, ADDING A REINFORCEMENT ANGLE OVER JOINT, AND RE-INSTALLING THE PARCEL RACK USING RIVETS AND PK SCREWS.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
99V162000

SUSPENSION

Jun 29, 1999
204 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL TAG AXLES. SOME OF THE RIDEWELL TAG AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES HAVE THE BRAKE S-CAMS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING THE BRAKE S-CAM AND IF FOUND INCORRECT, INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECTION OF THE S-CAM INSTALLATION.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R99DAView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

PE03034ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PASSENGER DOOR INTERLOCK MALFUNCTION

Opened Jul 23, 2003
Closed Dec 1, 2003

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON A SINGLE, OHIO FLEETCOMPLAINT ON A MODEL YEAR 2000 BUS WITH 151,000 MILES.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS VISITED THE FLEET AND CONFIRMED THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM, A STUCK DOOR.THE SYTEM IS DESIGNED SUCH THAT WHEN THE DOOR SYSTEM IS ENGAGED, TWO STEEL PINS DROP IN PLACE FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.THE PINS SHOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE BUS TRANSMISSION IS IN A NEUTRAL POSITION.THERE IS AN OVERRIDE SWITCH IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE.VRTC TEST ENGINEERS CONFIRMED ON THE COMPLAINT BUS THAT THE PINS WOULD BECOME STUCK AND NOT DISENGAGE, ELIMINATING THAT DOOR AS AN EXIT, WHICH COULD BE A CONCERN IN AN EMERGENCY,AS A RESULT OF ODI'S INQUIRY, BLUEBIRD SUMBITTED INFORMATION WHICH INDICATED NO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OR FIELD REPORTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BLUEBIRD DID IDENTIFY 301 WARRANTY CLAIMS. HOWEVER, THESE WERE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS SUCH AS REPAIRS FOR DAMAGE, MISSING TRIM, AND ROUTINE ADJUSTMENTS OF OPERATING AIR CYLINDERS, ELECTRONIC CONTROL SWITCHES, MANUAL DEADLBOLT LOCKS, ETC.ODI CONTACTED THREE FLEET SERVICE MANAGERS SERVICING 46 SUBJECT BUSES.THE FLEET MANAGERS REPORTED NO CONINUOUS PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE ENTRY DOORS OF VEHICLES WITHIN THEIR FLEETS.ODI CONCLUDES THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND EXISTS IN THE SUBJECT BUSES AND, THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THE VEHICLES IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SQ01009ClosedInvestigation

ALTERNATOR CABLE

Opened Sep 5, 2001
Closed Dec 7, 2001

ALLEGED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WIRE FROM THE BATTERY EXPERIENCES FATIGUE AND SEPARATES.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources