1996 Blue Bird ALL American

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THIS STANDARD REQUIRES SPECIFIC LABELING FOR "ENGINE START" AND "ENGINE STOP." THE WORDING OF THE LABELS ON THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

RiskTHE OPERATOR COULD PLACE THE ENGINE SWITCH IN A POSITION OTHER THAN THAT INTENDED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

FixOWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES. MOVEMENT OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE IN THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET RUBS A GROOVE IN THE BRACKET. THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THIS GROOVE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

RiskTHE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

FixOWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH A CRIMPED END FITTING WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

RiskTHE END FITTING CAN BLOW-OFF RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING CAUSING INSUFFICIENT STEERING CONTROL WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

FixOWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THE SUSPECT HOSES (IDENTIFIABLE BY DATE CODE) AND REPLACE HOSES AS NECESSARY.

THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

RiskIN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

FixBLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

RiskWHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

FixOWNERS WILL BE DIRECTED TO REMOVE ALL FORWARD HANDRAILS. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THOSE OWNERS OPERATING IN STATES WHICH MANDATE A FORWARD HANDRAIL THAT A REPLACEMENT HANDRAIL WILL BE PROVIDED.

THE FLOOR LINE HANDRAIL BRACKET CAN EXPAND DURING USE AND CREATE AN OPENING WHICH COULD ENTRAP COAT STRINGS, ETC. AND OTHER ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.

RiskWHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL COULD BE DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.