- The problem
- Blue bird has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2011 all american, conventional, and micro bird school buses manufactured from december 13, 2007 through january 18, 2010 equipped with ricon model s or k series public use wheelchair lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon has discovered, however, that it is possible for the operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this case, the restraint belt would appear to be latched, and the operator could run the lift. If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform.
- The risk
- The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.
- The fix
- Blue bird is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The safety recall began on april 27, 2010. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Vehicle safety record
2011 Blue Bird Conventional Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (1) and the visibility & wipers (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2010 for the equipment adaptive / mobility. For comparison, the 2010 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Conventional year, for its age
#343 most complained-about 2011 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2011 Blue Bird Conventional problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2011 Blue Bird Conventional recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I would like to call your attention to the new design of school bus escape windows. In the past, these windows were hinged along the top and swung out from the bottom. The new design is hinged on the front and they swing out from the back. I feel this is very dangerous to small children who may accidentally release the latch, open the window and fall out of the school bus to the ground below. I picture a scenario where a small child may stand up on the seat ( yes I know they should not stand up on the seat...
Read the full complaint
but you cannot predict the actions of a 3 or 4 year old child) to try to put the window down. His sleeve catches the release on the way up as it does release from the bottom up. The window flies open. He is already in an off balance position so out the window he goes. Now lets imagine the bus is going around a corner. Yes an alarm will sound alerting the bus driver but do you really think he will be able to stop and secure the bus, get out of his seat and grab that child before he goes out the window? I don't think so. I would suggest that a tether be attached to these windows to restrict the opening to about 6". Said tether would be designed to break @ a predetermined force in the event of an accident. I am just trying to be proactive here but if it takes a tragic accident to open up some eyes then so be it. I just hope it does not happen on one of our buses. *Tr
Blue Bird Conventional: every year compared
All Conventional yearsQuestions about the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional
Does the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional: equipment adaptive / mobility (April 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (1), visibility & wipers (1).
How many complaints has the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 25, 2010 and the latest on November 25, 2010. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2011 Blue Bird Conventional a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 84 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Blue Bird Conventional year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Blue Bird Conventional years have the most complaints?
1991 (7), 2018 (2), 2003 (1). See every Blue Bird Conventional year compared.
What should I do if my 2011 Blue Bird Conventional has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data