1996 Blue Bird TC2000: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 03V3630008 Oct 2003Structure / Body
• 02V18500015 Jul 2002Equipment / Other / Labels
• 01V19100011 Jun 2001Electrical System / Wiring
• 00V21900017 Aug 2000Structure / Body
• 99V01800015 Jun 1999Seats
• 98V11000021 May 1998Fuel System, Other / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
• 97V1970007 Nov 1997Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly
• 96V1980009 Oct 1996Power Train
• 96V18000023 Sep 1996Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Hose, Piping, and Connections
• 96V12600111 Jul 1996Seats
• 96V0730003 May 1996Structure / Body
• 95V1500007 Aug 1995Structure / Body
• 95V13600026 Jul 1995Structure / Frame and Members

1. 03V363000Received 8 Oct 2003. 8,088 units.

   Structure / Body

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 221, "school bus body joint strength." one or more of the bolts attaching the driver's platform to the floor structure was omitted.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The rear of the driver's platform may not be properly retained in the event of a crash which could increase the risk of injury or death to passengers.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Blue bird will notify its customers and inspect and repair the affected units. Owner notification began on november 20, 2003. 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 478-822-2242.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R03GZ. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Nov 2003.

2. 02V185000Received 15 Jul 2002. 408 units.

   Equipment / Other / Labels

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The operator could place the engine switch in a position other than that intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners 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.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R02GB. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Aug 2002.

3. 01V191000Received 11 Jun 2001. 5,631 units.

   Electrical System / Wiring

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. The 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. 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 1-912-822-2242.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R01FF. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Jul 2001.

4. 00V219000Received 17 Aug 2000. 25,839 units.

   Structure / Body

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: school buses. These buses fail to meet the 60 percent joint strength requirements of FMVSS no. 221, "school bus body joint strength."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a vehicle crash, the roof may not be supported sufficiently, causing personal injury to bus occupants.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners will be contacted and advised to inspect each roof joint. Owners will install repair rivets in each joint found to have insufficient quantity of rivets in each examined 8 inch section.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R00DN. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Dec 2000.

5. 99V018000Received 15 Jun 1999. 41,260 units.

   Seats

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: school buses. The wall side attaching bolts for some of the passenger seats may have been installed too close to the edge of the seat ledge and in the wrong attaching hole resulting in weakening of the seat ledge at the attachment points.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a frontal crash, the rear attaching bolt of these seats could pull out of the seat ledge increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to strengthen the passenger seat attachment at the wall side.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R99CN. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Jul 1999.

6. 98V110000Received 21 May 1998. 64 units.

   Fuel System, Other / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: rear engine school buses equipped with option 04888 dedicated compressed natural gas (cng) fuel package. The 24" long stainless steel braided fuel hoses can leak at the hose end fittings.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   These hoses can fracture allowing cng fuel leakage increasing the risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace these hoses with conductive thermoplastic hoses.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Jun 1998.

7. 97V197000Received 7 Nov 1997. 16,338 units.

   Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: front and rear engine school buses equipped with 60 gallon side mounted fuel tank barriers. These buses do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a vehicle crash, the fuel tank could be damaged, leaking fuel, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Blue bird will ship instructions and modification kits to the owners of these buses.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Mar 1998.

8. 96V198000Received 9 Oct 1996. 5 units.

   Power Train

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Oversized rotors were installed in the powertrain drive motors in these buses.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   When the bus is in service and the oversized rotor inside the electric powertrain motor becomes heated, the rotor expands causing the motor to become sluggish, stall and could seize, failing completely.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Northrup-grumman will perform the modification to these powertrain drive motors.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Oct 1996.

9. 96V180000Received 23 Sep 1996. 194 units.

   Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Hose, Piping, and Connections

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   The power steering hose with a crimped end fitting was improperly manufactured.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The 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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are requested to inspect the power steering hose for the suspect hoses (identifiable by date code) and replace hoses as necessary.

   Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Nov 1996.

10. 96V126001Received 11 Jul 1996. 11,371 units.

    Seats

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Vehicle description: school buses equipped with bostrom driver's seat model f222 or bostrum "routemaster" seat. Blue bird option 2821 or 2824. The seat pedestals are fatigue cracking adjacent to the weld which secures the pedestal's upper plate to the upper, telescoping portion of the adjustable column support.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    The upper mounting plate and seat upper gradually becomes loose resulting in the upper plate detaching from the supporting column and the seat can fall from its mounting. This can result in personal injury to the driver.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will repair these pedestals with a newly designed pedestal bracket kit.

    Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jul 1996.

11. 96V073000Received 3 May 1996. 18,000 units.

    Structure / Body

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the forward handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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, in the NHTSA record

    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.

    Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Aug 1996.

12. 95V150000Received 7 Aug 1995. 2,557 units.

    Structure / Body

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    The floor line handrail bracket can expand during use and create an opening which could entrap coat strings, etc. And other articles of clothing.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    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 could be dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will replace the flat split floor line bracket with a round tubular bracket.

    Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Sep 1995.

13. 95V136000Received 26 Jul 1995. 416 units.

    Structure / Frame and Members

    Defect, in the NHTSA record

    These units are equipped with a counter weight assembly made up of 300 pounds of 1/4" plate steel welded together and bolted between the frame rails in the rear overhang just forward of the rear bumper. Some of the welds have broken due to insufficient welds, corrosion, or ice expansion.

    Consequence, in the NHTSA record

    These plates can drop to the roadway becoming a hazard to following vehicles increasing the potential for an accident.

    Remedy, in the NHTSA record

    Dealers will install a mechanical retaining device which clamps the plates together and fastened with threaded fasteners. Bus owners will have the option of repairing their own vehicles.

    Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. This model year has fewer than 50 component mentions, so the table shows the number of mentions only.

Complaints that report a crash

0

Complaints that report a fire

0

Injuries in the complaints

0

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

23 Sep 1996

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19871
2. 198811
3. 198914
4. 199013
5. 199112
6. 199214
7. 199314
8. 199414
9. 199518
10. 199613
11. 19978
12. 199817
13. 199915
14. 200012
15. 200112
16. 200211
17. 20036
18. 20045
19. 20051

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Blue Bird TC2000: all model years
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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 1996 Blue Bird TC2000The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1996 Blue Bird TC2000?

130,171 units in 13 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Blue Bird TC2000 have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 64 recall campaigns for the Blue Bird TC2000, model years 1987 to 2005. 13 of them name the 1996 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 1996 Blue Bird TC2000 name most often?

Visibility: 2 of 3 component mentions.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1996 Blue Bird TC2000 open?

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.