NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation RQ08004
Recall Query · Blue Bird Body Company · SUSPENSION:FRONT
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
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.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
FRONT AXLE / TIRE OVERLOAD
BLUE BIRD IS IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS WEIGHT REDUCTION, WEIGHT REDISTRIBUTION , AND CAPACITY UPGRADE INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THEFRONT AXLE / TIRE OVER-LOAD CONDITION OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.ODI IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED ABOUT BLUE BIRD'S INITIATIVE TO UPRATE THE FRONT TIRE BY REQUIRING OWNERS TO MAINTAIN 130 PSI INFLATION PRESSURE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S CONCERNS, BLUE BIRD WILL SUPPLEMENT THEIR ORIGINAL REMEDY PLAN OF PROVIDING NEW FRONT TIRES AND NEW TIRE CERTIFCATION LABELS SPECIFYING THE 130 PSI INFLATION REQUIREMENT WITH INTIATIVES TO: (1) INSTALL AN ON-BOARD TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PROVIDING 130 PSI; (2) INSTALL A PLACARD ON THE DASH PANEL AS A ONGOING REMINDER TO OWNERS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE; AND (3) INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBLITY OF PERIODICALLY REMINDING OWNERS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING SPECIFIED TIRE PRESSURE.ODI REMAINS GENERALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FRONT TIRES INSTALLED IN MOTOR HOMES BECAUSE ODI'S EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MOTOR HOME OWNERS ARE FREQUENLTY UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO MAINTAIN HIGH INFLATION PRESSURES IN THEIR TIRES.SEE ODI'S CLOSING REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS / DETAILS REGARDING THIS.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- RQ08004
- Investigation type
- Recall Query (RQ)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Blue Bird Body Company
- Component
- SUSPENSION:FRONT
- Opened
- Jun 24, 2008
- Closed
- Nov 3, 2008
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
3 model years across 1 model
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.