RoadVitals

1997 Blue Bird Micro Bird

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.
0
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.
4
Latest Jun 15, 1999
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
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Blue Bird Micro Bird. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

4 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
Jun 15, 1999
41,260 units potentially affected
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.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R99CNView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 2, 1999
829 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30-INCH AND 34-INCH SEATS AND BARRIERS OR 36, 39, AND 45-INCH SEATS AND BARRIERS WITH OFFSET LEGS INSTALLED IN THE FIRST BODY SECTION BEHIND THE DRIVER. WHEN NARROW SEATS AND BARRIERS (30" AND 34") OR SEATS AND BARRIERS WITH OFFSET LEGS ARE INSTALLED, ADDITIONAL FLOOR REINFORCEMENT IS ADDED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THIS REINFORCEMENT INTERFERES WITH AND CHAFES THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER HOSE.
The risk: THIS CHAFING COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL PLACE A SHIELD OVER THE ADDITIONAL FLOOR REINFORCEMENT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER FUEL FILLER HOSE FROM CHAFING.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R99CKView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Jul 31, 1998
772 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE BOLTS RETAINING THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO DISLODGE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SLIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF THE TANK HITTING THE GROUND, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BOLTS AND NUTS IN THE FUEL TANK RETAINING STRAPS WITH NEW BOLTS AND NUTS THAT WILL BE PROVIDED.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYView 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.

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 Micro Bird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011050
20100120
20090140
20080160
20070100
20060100
2005040
2004050
2003050
2002050
2001030
2000020
1999020
1998040
1997Viewing040
1996020
1995020
1994020
1993010
1992010
1991020
1990010
1989010
1988010
1987010

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.