1988 Blue Bird ALL AMERICAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 1990-05-22 (May 22, 1990)

LOCK PINS IN STEERING WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY MY SHEAR OFF, ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPAIR USING A POSITIVE LOCKING METHOD.

Reported: 1992-01-13 (January 13, 1992)

THE STEEL BRAIDING ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY ABRADE THE BATTERY CABLE.

Consequence: ABRASION OF THE BATTERY CABLE WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ASHORT CIRCUIT AND MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSES AND SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO PREVENT MOVEMENT.

Reported: 1992-08-12 (August 12, 1992)

A 150 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER, OPTION 4362, HAS BEEN WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH A STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT, THEREBY NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR SHORT-CIRCUIT, INADEQUATE CIRCUITPROTECTION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT MUST BE REMOVED.

Reported: 1993-03-01 (March 1, 1993)

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

Reported: 1993-08-10 (August 10, 1993)

THE FRONT DOOR CONTROL LATCH SYSTEM FAILS DUE TO BREAKAGE OF THE LATCH PIN.

Consequence: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE FRONT DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED,ENTRAPPING THE PASSENGERS IN THE BUS AND IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, PASSENGERSCOULD NOT USE THE FRONT DOOR TO EXIT THE BUS.

Remedy: THE LOCK PIN WILL BE REPLACED ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNERS CAN OBTAIN A MODIFICATION KIT FROM BLUE BIRD OR IF THEY PREFER, A DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.

Reported: 1995-05-09 (May 9, 1995)

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence: WHEN 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 INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SET SCREW TO THE METAL CLAMP WHICH RETAINS THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL. A HIGH IMPACT MOLDED PLASTIC "CLAM SHELL" WILL BE PLACED OVER EACH END OF THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL COMPLETELY COVERING THE CLAMP AND ELIMINATING ALL CATCH-POINTS. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE CRIMPED SECURING THE VERTICAL SECTION OF THE PRIMARY TUBLAR HANDRAIL AT THE FLOOR LINE.

Reported: 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)

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

Consequence: WHEN 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.

Remedy: OWNERS 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.

Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)

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

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.