Blue Bird Engine And Engine Cooling Recall 11V423000 (860 Vehicles)

The problem

Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 all american school buses manufactured from october 13, 2010, through march 8, 2011, and vision school buses manufactured from october 2, 2010, through february 2, 2011, equipped with a cummins diesel engine. The v-band clamp assembly, part numbers q187684, q187685, and q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (doc)/diesel particulate filter (dpf) include a t-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the t-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the doc/dpf housing to disconnect.

The risk

If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and a fire. If both clamps fail, there is a risk in some applications that the doc/dpf housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.

The fix

Blue bird is working with cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. Repairs will be performed by authorized cummins dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on october 10, 2011. Owners may contact cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Contacts

Cummins recall campaign number is c1154. Blue bird's recall campaign number is r11th. 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> .

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 11V423000.
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.

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Grade
2011 Blue Bird All American	0	35	F
2012 Blue Bird All American	0	30	F
2011 Blue Bird Vision	0	22	C
2012 Blue Bird Vision	1	19	B

Vehicle

Complaints

Recalls

Grade

2011 Blue Bird All American

2012 Blue Bird All American

2011 Blue Bird Vision

2012 Blue Bird Vision

Questions

Is the 11V423000 recall repair free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix safety recalls free of charge. BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY's dealers do the work; the remedy is described above.

How do I know if my vehicle is part of recall 11V423000?

Not every vehicle of a listed model year is included. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call a dealer with your VIN.

When was recall 11V423000 announced?

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY reported it to NHTSA on August 17, 2011. Owners are usually notified by mail within about two months.

Engine and engine cooling Blue Bird recall