Body: roof and pillarsRecall 12V-262 · Blue Bird vehicles
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY recall 12V-262 covers 11 Blue Bird vehicles for a body: roof and pillars problem, reported to NHTSA on June 8, 2012.
Source: NHTSA recall 12V262000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
BLUE BIRD CORPORATION (BLUE BIRD) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALL AMERICAN AND VISION NON-SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 20, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The fix
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.
BLUE BIRDS RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R12VE.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>.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from May 20, 2011 to October 20, 2012. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.