RoadVitals

1998 Blue Bird Micro Bird 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.
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Newest Jun 15, 1999
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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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.
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Recall campaigns

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

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

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

May 18, 1998
385 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A POSITIVE HOLD OPEN DEVICE (RETAINER) FOR THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk: THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN UNTIL IT WAS RELEASED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR RETAINER. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE RETAINER IF THEY SO DESIRE.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYView 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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources