BLUE BIRD ( 09V253000 )

Vehicle Make / Model:		Model Year(s):
BLUE BIRD / BLUE BIRD		2009
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY		Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 02, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V253000		EQ09003 NHTSA Action Number: EQ09003

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:QUICK RELEASE VALVE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 32

Summary: 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.

Consequence: MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 30, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Notes: BLUE BIRD’S RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. R09PK. 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .