The problem
All american school buses manufactured between january 10 and april 20, 2004, which the inside panels adjacent to the rear center emergency door (or rear center emergency window on rear engine models) do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 221, School bus body joint strength. Adhesive was inadvertentlt omitted from these joints on the affected population.
The risk
The vehicle occupants may be seriously injured in the event of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Owners will be notified to make an appointment with their blue bird distributor to have the inside rear panels removed and properly adhere the panels. Owner notification is expected to begin june 9, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Contacts
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Blue Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 04V213000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.