Is This A Lemon?

NHTSA recall campaign

10V296000

ManufacturerBLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYReported2010-06-29Affected127 vehicles

What was wrong

Defect

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 13, 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2009 EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE IGEN3 STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)

Risk

MISLOCATED WELDS MAY RESULT IN TORSIONAL AND AXIAL STRENGTH FALLING BELOW ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

To check whether your specific VIN is covered and to find a participating dealer, look this campaign up on NHTSA.gov →

Affected vehicles

1 entry
  • Blue Bird