Model year record

2008 BLUE BIRD L4RE

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V457000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
North American Bus Industries, Inc.
Vehicles affected
4,061
Reported to NHTSA
2013-09-19

Defect description

North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Safety risk

Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V011000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
North American Bus Industries, Inc.
Vehicles affected
53
Reported to NHTSA
2013-01-11
Owners notified
2013-03-28

Defect description

North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE transit buses manufactured July 1, 2007, through October 31, 2009. The buses may have a defective steering gear attachment. Cracks may develop in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame or the bus frame may crack around the bolts that attach the steering gear bracket to the frame.

Safety risk

If left unchecked, the cracks may propagate and cause partial separation of the steering gear from the bus frame. This would cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

NABI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V434000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
Manufacturer
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Vehicles affected
15
Reported to NHTSA
2008-08-26
Owners notified
2008-09-30

Defect description

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING 15 MY 2007-2008 BLUE-BIRD L4RE AND C4RE TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH C7 OR C9 CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET CHECK PLUG MAY BE CRACKED WHICH COULD CAUSE FUEL TO SPRAY AND LEAK.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

NABI IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR (PLEASE SEE 08E042). CATERPILLAR WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP PLUG FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986, OR NABI AT 1-888-391-1777.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

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.