RoadVitals

NHTSA safety recall

Recall 03V498000: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY · Reported to NHTSA Dec 4, 2003

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
Units potentially affectedThe manufacturer's own estimate of how many vehicles or items of equipment may contain the defect. It is not a count of failures, and not every unit in the range is necessarily affected.
417
Model years coveredModel years in our database that NHTSA matched to this campaign. Whether an individual vehicle is covered still depends on its VIN.
1
Models covered
1
Grouped from the model years above
Reported to NHTSA
Dec 4, 2003
Production Jul 4, 2003 – Nov 21, 2003

What this recall covers

NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published

The defect

ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL STYLE SCHOOL BUSES, ONLY THOSE EQUIPPPED WITH AIR BRAKES, THE UNDERHOOD FIREWALL LOCATION OF THE AIR BRAKE MANIFOLD MAY PERMIT RAINWATER ENTRY INTO THE PARKING BRAKE EXHAUST PORT FITTING OF THE MANIFOLD. IN FREEZING WEATHER, THIS WATER COULD FORM ICE BLOCKING THE EXHAUST PORT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED.

The risk

IN THE EVENT THAT THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR AND THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO APPLY, THE BUS COULD ROLL AWAY, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. 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.

Notes

BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R03HL.ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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.

Campaign details

Identifiers and dates as filed with NHTSA

Manufacturer
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer's campaign number
R03HL
NHTSA campaign number
03V498000
Units potentially affected
417
Report received
Dec 4, 2003
Production range
Jul 4, 2003 – Nov 21, 2003
Campaign type
Vehicle
Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
Not recorded

Vehicles covered

1 model year across 1 model

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.