R20AO-SB – Parking Brake may not Hold Vehicle/ FMVSS 105 – 2009-2019 Blue Bird Vision Transit Buses

April 27, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V235000

Parking Brake may not Hold Vehicle/ FMVSS 105

A parking brake system that is set to an insufficient application force may result in an increased possibility of unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of injury to bystanders.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V235

Manufacturer Blue Bird Body Company

Components PARKING BRAKE

Potential Number of Units Affected 3

 

Summary

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2009-2019 Vision transit buses. The floor-mounted parking brake may fail to hold the vehicle stationary on an incline when the vehicle is loaded to its maximum weight, due to an insufficient application force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105 “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems.”

 

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and adjust the application force, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird’s number for this recall is R20AO-SB.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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RECALL

R20AO Hydraulic Brake Floor Mounted Hand Lever Setting

Models Affected: Certain MY 2007-2013 All American and MY 2006-2021 Visions

Issue: The right-hand floor mounted park brake hand lever tension may not be set correctly.

Corrective Action: With the use of a calibrated hand-held force gauge check the force required to apply the hand park brake lever is 90-95 ft. pounds

 

Parts/Items Needed:

Item	Description	Quantity
1	Calibrated hand-held force gauge.	1
2	Gauge attachment ring or 16” of ¼” rope	1
3	2 MM Allen wrench	1
4	1/2” open end wrench	1

 

WARNING:

Always follow all Federal, State, Local and Shop safety standards and use proper safety equipment, and thoroughly read and understand all instructions before performing these procedures. Park bus on level surface, apply parking brake, turn off ignition key, and chock wheels.

 

INSPECTION:

1. Use the instructions below to confirm the setting of the park brake handle, in the released position.

2. Attach the force gauge to slowly pull up the hand lever to the peak park brake applied location. (Reference Photo B)

3. It is important to keep the force gauge direction of pull at a 90-degree angle to the lever, as the lever rotates to the park brake applied location.

 

FORCE GAUGE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the park brake handle in the released position.

2. Attach a 16” rope tied into a loop if your force gauge is not equipped with a loop strap. (Reference Photo A)

3. Slowly pull up the hand lever to the peak park brake applied location. (Reference Photo B)

4. Pull several times to verify the setting.

5. If the force setting is 90 to 95 FT lbs. No other actions are required.

 

ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If adjustment is required, loosen the 2MM Allen set screw on the side of the handle and rotate the handle clockwise to increase or counter clockwise to decrease the LBS. (Reference Photo C). Tighten the set screw.

2. If the lever handle rotation adjustment will not obtain the proper FT LBS, the ¼” cable yoke at the bell crank lever at the brake will need to be adjusted. (Reference Detail 1)

3. Repeat the Force Gauge Instructions above to verify the proper setting.

4. Apply park brake, after process is complete.

 

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R20AO

FINAL NOTICE

 

DATE:	November 18, 2020
TO:	Blue Bird Owners
Subject:	Recall R20AO, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units W/Floor Mounted Park Brake Hand Lever Assembly

 

According to our records, Campaigns Administration has not received confirmation that the above referenced recall, dated June 11, 2020, has been completed.  A copy of Recall R20AO is attached.   Your buses affected by Recall R20AO are identified by Blue Bird body number and VIN under Section 2 on the enclosed cover sheet.

 

If this is the first time you received notification of Recall R20AO, please read the enclosed notification carefully.  Recall R20AO must be completed, as soon as possible.  To correct this potential issue, Blue Bird will notify owners by mail and provide the affected dealers and owners with the necessary remedy instructions to inspect and repair, as needed.

 

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of the repairs related to this recall at no cost to the vehicle owner. The standard repair time (SRT) to accomplish these repairs in accordance with the R20AO remedy procedure(s) is outlined below.

 

Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

• Repair A (Inspection):
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)

• Repair B (Handle Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)

• Repair C (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.2 (12 minutes)

 

If you have already had R20AO performed on your affected buses, please complete and mail the enclosed recall yellow coversheet to us in the enclosed postage paid pink reply envelope so we may update our recall records.  Be sure the reply sheet is filled out properly.

 

Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com

 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242  lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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R20AO

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-234 (School Bus)
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-235 (Non-School Bus)

DATE:	June 11, 2020
SUBJECT:	Recall R20AO, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units W/Floor Mounted Park Brake Hand Lever Assembly

 

 

Dear Blue Bird Owner:               

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

This important safety recall notice applies to your bus(es) identified by both Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the enclosed yellow cover sheet. If you no longer own the subject bus(es), please complete the appropriate section of the yellow cover sheet and return to Blue Bird in the enclosed pink postage prepaid envelope.

Blue Bird Body Company is voluntarily recalling certain model year 2006 to 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Buses manufactured from September 24, 2005 through February 13, 2020; certain model year 2007 to 2013 All American School Buses manufactured from September 27, 2006 through June 15, 2012; and certain model year 2009 to 2019 Vision Non-School Buses manufactured on September 6, 2008 and March 12, 2018.  On the subject buses, it has been determined that certain Blue Bird buses could fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 105 “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” for the parking brake system requirements. Subject buses may fail to meet the FMVSS 105 S5.2.3 requirements for holding the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes on a 20% grade when loaded to its maximum gross vehicle weight.  Blue Bird must conduct a recall to correct this noncompliance.  The potentially suspect population includes buses equipped with hydraulic brakes with a hand lever mounted on the right side of the driver seat to actuate the parking brake (Feature 40049-03).  Blue Bird shall conduct a voluntary safety recall to correct any potential noncompliance.

Blue Bird has evaluated the risk to motor vehicle safety related to this noncompliance and determined that there is a potential for injury to the occupant and bystanders in the event that the parking brake system is set to an insufficient application force. A parked bus that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk of injury and/or a crash.  Therefore, the bus should be parked on a level surface and properly chock the wheels until the hand brake assembly has been inspected.

 

Corrective Action:  

To correct this noncompliance, Blue Bird will notify the affected owners that the application force of the floor mounted park brake hand lever assembly must be inspected and set according to the Blue Bird Service Manual requirements.

 

Labor Reimbursement:  

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

• Repair A (Inspection):
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair B (Handle Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair C (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.2 (12 minutes)

 

Administering the Recall:  

Blue Bird recommends that you contact your local or nearest Blue Bird Dealer to arrange for this recall to be performed. The Dealer can perform the repairs, or arrange for repairs to be performed by a service repair facility authorized by the Dealer. However, you may elect to perform this recall yourself or pay another independent repair facility to perform this recall.  A qualified technician should perform this recall. If you elect to perform this recall yourself or pay another independent repair facility to perform this recall, complete and submit the Pink Owner’s Recall Reply Sheet provided. The Recall Reply Sheet includes a section for the owner to request reimbursement of the owner’s labor or to request reimbursement for a labor invoice paid by the owner to an independent repair facility.

Parts to complete Recall R20AO are not required for this campaign.  

 

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

 

If the modifications directed by this notification were performed on your bus prior to the receipt of this recall notification, attach a copy of the work order/invoice. Mail the documents in the pink self-addressed postage prepaid envelope included with the pink reply sheet to Blue Bird for warranty consideration. Reimbursements will be made in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Transportation Safety Act, Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 573 and 577.

 Please contact your local Blue Bird Dealer with any questions regarding this recall campaign. 

 

If Blue Bird Body Company should fail to or is unable to remedy this condition without charge to you, you may contact:

ADMINISTRATOR
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590

Or, you may call The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration toll free at:
1-888-327-4236    TTY 1-800-424-9153 or go to: http:/www.safercar.gov

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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R20AO

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-234 (School Bus)
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-235 (Non-School Bus)

DATE:	June 11, 2020
TO:	U.S. DEALERS
SUBJECT:	Recall R20AO, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units W/Floor Mounted Park Brake Hand Lever Assembly

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

This important safety recall notice applies to your buses identified by both Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the attached yellow cover sheet.

Blue Bird Body Company is voluntarily recalling certain model year 2006 to 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Buses manufactured from September 24, 2005 through February 13, 2020; certain model year 2007 to 2013 All American School Buses manufactured from September 27, 2006 through June 15, 2012; and certain model year 2009 to 2019 Vision Non-School Buses manufactured on September 6, 2008 and March 12, 2018.  On the subject buses, it has been determined that certain Blue Bird buses could fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 105 “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” for the parking brake system requirements. Subject buses may fail to meet the FMVSS 105 S5.2.3 requirements for holding the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes on a 20% grade when loaded to its maximum gross vehicle weight.  Blue Bird must conduct a recall to correct this noncompliance.  The potentially suspect population includes buses equipped with hydraulic brakes with a hand lever mounted on the right side of the driver seat to actuate the parking brake (Feature 40049-03).  Blue Bird shall conduct a voluntary safety recall to correct any potential noncompliance.

Blue Bird has evaluated the risk to motor vehicle safety related to this noncompliance and determined that there is a potential for injury to the occupant and bystanders in the event that the parking brake system is set to an insufficient application force. A parked bus that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk of injury and/or a crash.  Therefore, the bus should be parked on a level surface and properly chock the wheels until the hand brake assembly has been inspected.

 

Corrective Action:  

To correct this noncompliance, Blue Bird will notify the affected dealers and owners that the application force of the floor mounted park brake hand lever assembly must be inspected and set according to the Blue Bird Service Manual requirements, if found to be incorrect.  Blue Bird will provide the affected dealers and owners with instructions regarding this recall remedy.

 

Labor Reimbursement:  

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the Dealer or to the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

• Repair A (Inspection):
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair B (Handle Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair C (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.2 (12 minutes)

 

Parts to complete Recall R20AO are not required for this campaign.  To assist with this recall remedy, Blue Bird will supply the Dealer with a Beslands SF-500 Digital Force Gauge Push and Pull Tester Dynamometer Pressure High Precision LCD Measuring Instrument Thrust Meter (2N-500N).

If Blue Bird’s records indicate bus(es) subject to this recall were delivered in your service area, a list of affected bus(es) will be enclosed.  The bus(es) will be identified by Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the enclosed yellow cover sheet.  Dealers should verify correct owners and assure that complete mailing and shipping addresses are provided for each listed owner.  

It is the Dealer’s responsibility to verify that the correct owner name, address, and telephone number is provided for each listed vehicle.  Any corrections or updates should be made in ClaimsCenter.  Addresses that cannot be updated should be forwarded to the Recall Administrator.

 

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

 

Dealers are reminded of their responsibilities under Section 154 of The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1991.  Dealers are required to complete modifications on units in their inventory before delivering to the final owner.  Reference Blue Bird Body Company Distributor Memo No. 42-92.

If you have in your possession or have sold a bus that was purchased from another Dealer that may be affected by this recall, please notify Lisa Hancock at 478-822-2242 or lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com  Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to Lisa Hancock, as well.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242  lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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11 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
BLUE BIRD	VISION	2009-2019

 

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10 Associated Documents

Non-Compliance Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V235-4949.PDF 215.359KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V235-3314.pdf 844.094KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V235-8736.pdf 291.803KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V235-1548.pdf 802.952KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V235-6160.pdf 244.904KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-2

RCLQRT-20V235-9239.PDF 211.148KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V235-6603.PDF 211.327KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-20V235-0475.pdf 1570.253KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V235-7262.PDF 211.241KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V235-0814.PDF 211.434KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V235&docType=RCL

 

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