February 11, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V074000
Possible Loss of Drive System and Power Steering
A sudden loss of drive power and loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V074
Manufacturer Blue Bird Body Company
Components POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected 58
Summary
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with 7000 EV electric drivetrain units. A connector within the wire harnesses may become unplugged causing loss of communication between control modules, resulting in sudden loss of drive power and power steering.
Remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and Cummins
dealers will install a cable tie on the connector to maintain the connector locking tab in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467. Blue Bird’s number for this recall is R20AL-SB.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
R20AL
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Recall Number: 20V-074 School Bus
DATE: March 12, 2020
Dear Blue Bird Owner:
SUBJECT: RECALL R20AL, Cummins Power Drive EV Wiring Harness Connection Failure
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
This important safety recall notice applies to your bus(es) identified by both Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the enclosed yellow cover sheet. If you no longer own the subject bus(es), please complete the appropriate section of the yellow cover sheet and return to Blue Bird in the enclosed pink postage prepaid envelope.
Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2018-2019 Vision School Buses manufactured from January 19, 2019 through September 9, 2019, and certain model year 2018-2019 All American School Buses manufactured from August 1, 2018 through January 30, 2020. On the subject buses, Blue Bird and Cummins have determined that certain Vision and All American electric school buses sold with PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain units, a connector within the wire harnesses installed in the subject EV drivetrains may be susceptible to becoming unplugged. If the connector becomes unplugged, under certain circumstances the communication between control modules may be lost and the system may command off the high voltage contactors, resulting in unexpected loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power steering. A sudden and simultaneous loss of motive power and loss of power steering may increase the risk of a crash.
To correct this condition, Cummins will arrange to have the remedy performed that addresses this condition. The remedy is to install a cable tie around the connector body, routed under the connector locking tab, forcing it into the locked position so that it cannot unplug. Cummins will work directly with affected customers and a limited number of service engineers and field technicians to implement the remedy. Cummins expects to be able to immediately begin working with vehicle owners to have the remedy installed on their school buses. The remedy will be performed free of charge and will take four hours to complete.
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
Reimbursements will be made in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Transportation Safety Act, Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 573 and 577.
If Blue Bird Body Company should fail to or is unable to remedy this condition without charge to you, you may contact:
ADMINISTRATOR
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590
Or, you may call The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration toll free at: 1-888-327-4236 TTY 1-800-424-9153 or go to: http:/www.safercar.gov
R20AL
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Recall Number: 20V-074 School Bus
DATE: March 12, 2020
TO: U.S. DEALERS
SUBJECT: RECALL R20AL, Cummins Power Drive EV Wiring Harness Connection Failure
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
This important safety recall notice applies to your buses identified by both Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the attached yellow cover sheet.
Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2018-2019 Vision School Buses manufactured from January 19, 2019 through September 9, 2019, and certain model year 2018-2019 All American School Buses manufactured from August 1, 2018 through January 30, 2020. On the subject buses, Blue Bird and Cummins have determined that certain Vision and All American electric school buses sold with PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain units, a connector within the wire harnesses installed in the subject EV drivetrains may be susceptible to becoming unplugged. If the connector becomes unplugged, under certain circumstances the communication between control modules may be lost and the system may command off the high voltage contactors, resulting in unexpected loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power steering. A sudden and simultaneous loss of motive power and loss of power steering may increase the risk of a crash.
To correct this condition, Cummins will arrange to have the remedy performed that addresses this condition. The remedy is to install a cable tie around the connector body, routed under the connector locking tab, forcing it into the locked position so that it cannot unplug. Cummins will work directly with affected customers and a limited number of service engineers and field technicians to implement the remedy. Cummins expects to be able to immediately begin working with vehicle owners to have the remedy installed on their school buses. The remedy will be performed free of charge and will take four hours to complete.
If Blue Bird’s records indicate bus(es) subject to this recall were delivered in your service area, a list of affected bus(es) will be enclosed. The bus(es) will be identified by Blue Bird Body Number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the enclosed yellow cover sheet. Dealers should verify correct owners and assure that complete mailing and shipping addresses are provided for each listed owner.
It is the dealer’s responsibility to verify that the correct owner name, address, and telephone number is provided for each listed vehicle. Any corrections or updates should be made in ClaimsCenter. Addresses that cannot be updated should be forwarded to the Recall Administrator.
If you have in your possession or have sold a bus that was purchased from another dealer that may be affected by this recall, please notify me at 478-822-2242 or [email protected]
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
Dealers are reminded of their responsibilities under Section 154 of The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1991. Dealers are required to complete modifications on units in their inventory before delivering to the final owner. Reference Blue Bird Body Company Distributor Memo No. 42-92.
Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to me at (478) 822-2242 or [email protected]
Sincerely,
Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242 [email protected]
R20AL
FINAL NOTICE
DATE: August 5, 2020
TO: Blue Bird Owners
Subject: RECALL R20AL, Cummins Power Drive EV Wiring Harness Connection Failure
According to our records, we have not received confirmation that the above referenced recall, dated March 12, 2020, has been completed. A copy of Recall R20AL is attached. Your buses affected by Recall R20AL are identified by Blue Bird body number and VIN under Section 2 on the enclosed cover sheet.
If this is the first time you received notification of Recall R20AL, please read the enclosed notification carefully. Recall R20AL must be completed, as soon as possible. On the subject buses, Blue Bird and Cummins have determined that certain Vision and All American electric school buses sold with PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain units, a connector within the wire harnesses installed in the subject EV drivetrains may be susceptible to becoming unplugged. If the connector becomes unplugged, under certain circumstances the communication between control modules may be lost and the system may command off the high voltage contactors, resulting in unexpected loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power steering. A sudden and simultaneous loss of motive power and loss of power steering may increase the risk of a crash.
To correct this condition, Cummins will arrange to have the remedy performed that addresses this condition. The remedy is to install a cable tie around the connector body, routed under the connector locking tab, forcing it into the locked position so that it cannot unplug. Cummins will work directly with affected customers and a limited number of service engineers and field technicians to implement the remedy. Cummins expects to be able to immediately begin working with vehicle owners to have the remedy installed on their school buses. The remedy will be performed free of charge and will take four hours to complete.
If you have already had R20AL performed on your affected buses, please complete and mail the enclosed recall yellow coversheet to us in the enclosed postage paid pink reply envelope so we may update our recall records. Be sure the reply sheet is filled out properly.
Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to me at (478) 822-2242 or [email protected]
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242
[email protected]
R20AL
SECOND FINAL NOTICE
DATE: December 7, 2020
TO: Blue Bird Owners
Subject: RECALL R20AL, Cummins Power Drive EV Wiring Harness Connection Failure
According to our records, we have not received confirmation that the above referenced recall, dated March 12, 2020, has been completed. A copy of Recall R20AL is attached. Your buses affected by Recall R20AL are identified by Blue Bird body number and VIN under Section 2 on the enclosed cover sheet.
If this is the first time you received notification of Recall R20AL, please read the enclosed notification carefully. Recall R20AL must be completed, as soon as possible. On the subject buses, Blue Bird and Cummins have determined that certain Vision and All American electric school buses sold with PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain units, a connector within the wire harnesses installed in the subject EV drivetrains may be susceptible to becoming unplugged. If the connector becomes unplugged, under certain circumstances the communication between control modules may be lost and the system may command off the high voltage contactors, resulting in unexpected loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power steering. A sudden and simultaneous loss of motive power and loss of power steering may increase the risk of a crash.
To correct this condition, Cummins will arrange to have the remedy performed that addresses this condition. The remedy is to install a cable tie around the connector body, routed under the connector locking tab, forcing it into the locked position so that it cannot unplug. Cummins will work directly with affected customers and a limited number of service engineers and field technicians to implement the remedy. Cummins expects to be able to immediately begin working with vehicle owners to have the remedy installed on their school buses. The remedy will be performed free of charge and will take four hours to complete.
If you have already had R20AL performed on your affected buses, please complete and mail the enclosed recall yellow coversheet to us in the enclosed postage paid pink reply envelope so we may update our recall records. Be sure the reply sheet is filled out properly.
Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to me at (478) 822-2242 or [email protected]
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242
http://oemdtc.com/3615/possible-loss-of-drive-system-and-power-steering-powerdrive-ev-drivetrain-cummins
20E003
4 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
| BLUE BIRD | ALL AMERICAN | 2018-2019 |
| BLUE BIRD | VISION | 2018-2019 |
10 Associated Documents
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-1
RCLQRT-20V074-3371.PDF 211.144KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)
RCMN-20V074-5564.pdf 567.344KB
ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RCONL-20V074-5996.pdf 534.738KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-20V074-5248.pdf 245.394KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-20V074-5277.PDF 214.762KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-2
RCLQRT-20V074-1221.PDF 211.246KB
Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2020-4
RCLQRT-20V074-7868.PDF 211.434KB
ISSUED Renotification Notice
RCRN-20V074-5772.pdf 1005.198KB
ISSUED Renotification Notice
RCRN-20V074-8009.pdf 127.083KB
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-3
RCLQRT-20V074-9711.PDF 211.325KB
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