RoadVitals

1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus

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 11, 2001
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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
01V191000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Jun 11, 2001
5,631 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REAR MOUNTED ENGINES. THE 12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE(S) MAY BE CHAFFED BY HOSES, HARNESSES, FRAME COMPONENTS, OR CLAMPS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE 12-VOLT POWER CABLE(S) FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 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 R01FFView 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
00V051000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 22, 2000
3,113 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE TREADLE VALVE AIR LINES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.
The risk: WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, FUTURE MAINTENANCE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS INCONSISTENCY, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number 400DRView 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.

R98CH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT REGARDING RECALL R98CH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC ENGINES COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER WIRING MODIFICATION. *TT

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 Q-Bus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003010—
2002020—
2001050—
2000060—
1999050—
1998Viewing040—
1997020—
1996020—
1995010—
1994010—
1993030—
1992020—

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.