Blue Bird Tank Assembly Recall 97V197000 (16K Vehicles)

The problem

Vehicle description: front and rear engine school buses equipped with 60 gallon side mounted fuel tank barriers. These buses do not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "Fuel system integrity."

The risk

In the event of a vehicle crash, the fuel tank could be damaged, leaking fuel, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.

The fix

Blue bird will ship instructions and modification kits to the owners of these buses.

Contacts

Owner notification is expected to begin march 10, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free modification kits and instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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 97V197000.
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
1988 Blue Bird TC2000	0	11	C
1989 Blue Bird TC2000	1	14	C
1990 Blue Bird TC2000	1	13	C
1991 Blue Bird TC2000	0	12	C
1992 Blue Bird TC2000	0	15	C
1993 Blue Bird TC2000	0	15	C
1994 Blue Bird TC2000	0	15	C
1995 Blue Bird TC2000	0	18	D
1996 Blue Bird TC2000	0	14	C
1997 Blue Bird TC2000	0	8	B
1998 Blue Bird TC2000	0	17	D

Vehicle

Complaints

Recalls

Grade

1988 Blue Bird TC2000

1989 Blue Bird TC2000

1990 Blue Bird TC2000

1991 Blue Bird TC2000

1992 Blue Bird TC2000

1993 Blue Bird TC2000

1994 Blue Bird TC2000

1995 Blue Bird TC2000

1996 Blue Bird TC2000

1997 Blue Bird TC2000

1998 Blue Bird TC2000

Questions

Is the 97V197000 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 97V197000?

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 97V197000 announced?

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY reported it to NHTSA on November 7, 1997. Owners are usually notified by mail within about two months.

Fuel system: tank assembly Blue Bird recall