United States 09V253000
Blue Bird Body Company
The problem
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 32 MODEL YEAR 2009 BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 3, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2009 AND SOLD TO THE U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR OVERSEAS USE. THESE BUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). THE RUBBER DIAPHRAGM INSIDE THE QRV MAY EXPERIENCE DELAMINATION RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF AIR PRESSURE LEAKAGE PAST AND/OR THROUGH THE DIAPHRAGM, OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUBBLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM WHICH MAY TRAP AIR PRESSURE IN THE VALVE AND NOT ALLOW THE SERVICE BRAKES TO RELEASE.
Risk
MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
What owners should do
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 13, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Units 32