Engine and engine cooling
- Component
- Engine and engine cooling
- Manufacturer
- BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 860
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2011-08-17
- Owners notified
- 2011-10-10
Defect description
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 13, 2010, THROUGH MARCH 8, 2011, AND VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
Safety risk
IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.