2015 Blue Bird Vision School Bus Recall

On certain school buses equipped with a Ford 6.8 L propane (LPG) engine, the right-hand parking brake lever cable may come in contact with the propane fuel supply line. Over time, this could cause damage to the line and result in a fuel leak.

A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire.

The fuel line should be inspected for signs of contact and wear before using the bus. Blue Bird will notify owners and dealers by mail and provide them with instructions for how to inspect the fuel line for damage, and replace them as necessary. Blue Bird will also provide hardware to secure the fuel lines and parking brake cable.

On certain school buses, the parking brake may not have been adjusted correctly. As a result, the parking brake may not apply enough force to hold the bus when parked. Under certain conditions, like while parked on an incline, this could allow the bus to roll away.

A parked bus that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk injury and/or a crash.

You should park the bus on a level surface and properly chock the wheels until the hand brake assembly has been inspected. Blue Bird will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to an authorized repair facility to have the floor-mounted hand brake assembly inspected and adjusted, as necessary.

On certain school buses, an incorrect seat barrier was installed behind the driver's seat. Additionally, a reinforcing bracket may not be installed below the floor. As a result, an occupant seated behind the barrier may not properly protected in a crash. Note: This recall only affects school buses built with a driver's seat that has an integrated 3-point seat belt.

An incorrect seat barrier or barrier that is not correctly reinforced could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Blue Bird will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your bus to a dealer to inspect the seat barrier behind the driver's seat. The dealer will ensure that the proper barrier and reinforcing bracket are installed. If the correct components are not in place, the barrier will be replaced and the barrier reinforcing bracket will be installed.

On certain school buses, the hydraulic brake lines and/or transmission shifter cable may have been incorrectly routed and could come into contact with surrounding components. If the brake lines were too close to the exhaust manifold, they could fail prematurely, resulting in hydraulic brake fluid leaking onto the manifold, and longer braking distances, increasing the risk of a crash. If the transmission shifter cable were to rub against the engine fuel supply line, it could result in a fuel leak. Both leaking brake fluid onto a hot surface and a fuel leak could increase the risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket to insulate the brake lines from heat and reroute the transmission shifter cable away from the fuel lines.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses, the chassis mounted battery box support brackets may develop cracks over time. If this occurs, the battery box brackets could fail, allowing the battery box to separate from the chassis and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will remove the braces on all units, add reinforcements or replace the front and rear brackets on some units with new higher strength steel, based on the matrix in the instructions.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain school buses equipped with a propane fuel system could have incorrect fuel line routing. If operated under this condition, this could cause the fuel lines to rub against each other which could lead to a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and re-route the fuel lines to prevent future damage. The fuel line(s) will be replaced if damage is found.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses equipped with a Ricon wheelchair lift, the lift platform sides may crack, which could cause the lift to lean against the vehicle door(s) and potentially fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, putting the lift operator at risk of injury. Correction: Ricon Corporation repair facilities will inspect lift platforms, link arms and bearings for cracks, damage or misalignment and if found to be damaged, link arms and/or platform will be replaced. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2014-360. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will require re-inspection and potential repair.

A failure of this component (accessories) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses equipped with Bergstom Inverters, a transistor could fail in the inverter due to an insufficient solder joint. This could result in the inverter overheating, causing smoke, and increase the risk of fire, which could result in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the existing inverter with an inverter from an alternate vendor.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses equipped with hydraulic brakes, the parking brake pedal assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly and could separate, allowing the pedal to bend. If separation were to occur, the parking brake may not engage properly, which could result in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Owners will be advised to inspect the date code found on the hydraulic park brake pedal. Assemblies found within the defective date code range will be replaced.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses equipped with a Ricon wheelchair lift, the lift platform sides may crack, which could cause the lift to lean against the vehicle door(s) and potentially fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, putting the lift operator at risk of injury. Correction: Ricon Corporation repair facilities will inspect lift platforms for cracks and repair as necessary, and install a repair kit. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2015522. Please see recall 2015522 for more information: Click here for more information

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles equipped with Cummins ISB and ISL engines, the fuel filter shell and nut plate could separate, causing a fuel leak and also causing the engine to stall. Stalling would result in a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel filter.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain propane-powered school buses, the fuel return line may fatigue and crack, causing a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the return fuel lines and add additional support clamps.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the parking brake pedal arm could fail, allowing the parking brake to release without warning. This could result in unintended vehicle movement and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a new parking brake pedal arm assembly.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain school buses, the driver's seat belt may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies. Due to a defect in manufacturing, the seat belt buckle may not release as required by the standard. This could hinder egress from the vehicle in an emergency, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace affected seatbelt buckles.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).