1998 Blue Bird WANDERLODGE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-05-05 (May 5, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME COACHES. THE TRAILER HITCH MAY BE INADEQUATELY WELDED TO THE CHASSIS FRAME.

Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT THE TRAILER HITCH SEPARATES FROM THE CHASSIS FRAME WHILE TOWING A TRAILER OR OTHER VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, REWELD THE TRAILER HITCH PROPERLY.

Reported: 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TOUR COACHES, A 'CHECK TRANS' WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS REQUIRED BY ALLISON TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WAS OMITTED. IN THE EVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONS (LOOSES POWER OR SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT), THE COMPUTER WILL STOP ACCEPTING INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR UNIT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE HELD IN THE LAST VALID RANGE SELECTED. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE SELECTED DISPLAY ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR WILL BE BLANK OR A DASH, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT A MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND REMAIN IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A "CHECK TRANS" WARNING LIGHT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2002-11-05 (November 5, 2002)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 1200LR AND 1200RIM WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 700000 AND 1008700 AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 1996 AND FEBRUARY 1999. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE LIQUID SOLUTION SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE SEALED, PRESSURIZED COOLING UNIT THROUGH A SMALL CRACK.

Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUALLY OPERATED, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COOLING UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005.

Reported: 1998-07-22 (July 22, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, MODEL 431-3 ZONE WITH ENGINE LOOP. FIBERGLASS INSULATING MATERIAL LOCATED UNDER THE BURNER HEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HEATER ENCLOSURE, CAN BECOME SOAKED WITH FLUIDS (ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND/OR DIESEL FUEL).

Consequence: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION FROM BENEATH THE DIESEL HEATING UNIT AS WELL AS FROM BEHIND THE CONTROL THERMOSTAT AND AIR-CONDITIONING HEATING ELEMENT ACCESS COVERS.

Reported: 1999-06-29 (June 29, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL TAG AXLES. SOME OF THE RIDEWELL TAG AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES HAVE THE BRAKE S-CAMS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING THE BRAKE S-CAM AND IF FOUND INCORRECT, INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECTION OF THE S-CAM INSTALLATION.