Recall campaign · NHTSA 00V162000

Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed this campaign with NHTSA on 2000-06-12.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V162000

Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve

Component: Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 9,687
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-06-12
Owners notified: 2000-06-14

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2000.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 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Scope of coverage

20 model years across 6 models.

Model	Years on record
BLUE BIRD ALL American	2000 1999 1998 1997
BLUE BIRD Commercial	2000
BLUE BIRD Commercial Series	1999 1998 1997
BLUE BIRD LTC 40	2000 1999 1998 1997
BLUE BIRD Q-BUS	2000 1999 1998 1997
BLUE BIRD TC2000	2000 1999 1998 1997

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.