NHTSA Recall 10V297000
Filed by Blue Bird Body Company. Component: Steering. Reported 2010-06-29. An estimated 11 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALL AMERICAN NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 19, 2009 THROUGH JULY 17, 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.
What the manufacturer will do
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Manufacturer campaign number: R10SB
Notes
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R10SB.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .