R20AP-SB – Parking Brake may not Hold Vehicle/ FMVSS 105 – 2020-2021 Blue Bird Vision & All American School Buses

May 8, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V258000

Parking Brake may not Hold Vehicle/ FMVSS 105

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V258

Manufacturer Blue Bird Body Company

Components PARKING BRAKE

Potential Number of Units Affected 1,585

 

Summary

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The foot pedal parking brake assembly may have been improperly assembled possibly resulting in a failure to hold the vehicle stationary on an incline when the vehicle is loaded to its maximum weight. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems.”

 

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the foot pedal parking brake assembly application force and adjust it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 3, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird’s number for this recall is R20AP-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.

 

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RECALL

R20AP: Hydraulic Brake Units With RECALL Orscheln Foot Pedal Park Brake Assembly

Models Affected: 2020-2021 Certain Vision, TX4, and All Americans with Hydraulic Brake Units With Orscheln Foot Pedal Park Brake Assembly

Issue: Foot park brake tension may not be set correctly.

Corrective Action: Adjust park brake cable to correct dimension

WARNING: Always follow all Federal, State, Local and Shop safety standards and use proper safety equipment, and thoroughly read and understand all instructions before performing these procedures.
Park bus on level surface, apply parking brake, turn off ignition key, and chock wheels.

NOTE: Setting is for a park brake with no wear, as designed.

 

Inspection:

1. Be sure cable saddle is set in 3rd set of holes in mounting bracket. (Detail 1)

a. If not loosen with a 9/16” wrench and socket. Once you remove fasteners move saddle to correct location.

Torque fasteners to 45ft-lbs.

2. Ensure the cable and saddle have a tolerance of no more than 3/32 acceptable gap. Photo 1

3. Using a tape measure check the dimension between the cable jam nut and retention spring washer. (Detail 1)

a. BBCV, TX4, and All American with Allison trans 1.55”-1.9”

b. BBCV Ford trans 1.35”-1.7”

4. If measurements are correct, no further work is necessary.

5. If measurements are out of spec, continue with Step 6 in instructions.

 

Adjustment Instructions:

6. Ensure wheels are chocked. Release parking brake and remove cotter pin and clevis pin at bell crank to relieve cable.

7. Be sure cable saddle is set in 3rd set of holes in mounting bracket. (Detail 1)

8. Ensure the cable is tight with no gap at cable saddle. (Photo 1)

9. Check slack in cable by pulling down on cable below pedal.

a. Check visually and physically that the cable is seated at the pedal clevis.

10. Pull slack out of bell crank and any downstream linkage by pushing bell crank forward until you feel shoes contact drum.

11. Screw cable end yoke forward or rearward so the yoke eye aligns with hole in bell crank. (Photo 2)

a. Do not engage parking brake by pushing bell crank too far forward.

b. Only push until initial resistance is felt.

12. Install the clevis pin with a cotter pin through yoke and tighten down the jam nut on cable.

13. Using a tape measure check the dimension between the cable jam nut and retention spring washer. (Detail 1)

a. BBCV, TX4, and All American with Allison trans 1.55”-1.9”

b. BBCV Ford trans 1.35”-1.7”

14. Once work has been completed apply parking brake. Return unit back to service.

 

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R20AP

FINAL NOTICE

 

DATE:	November 18, 2020
TO:	Blue Bird Owners
Subject:	Recall R20AP, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units with Orscheln Foot Pedal Park Brake Assembly

 

According to our records, Campaigns Administration has not received confirmation that the above referenced recall, dated June 23, 2020, has been completed.  A copy of Recall R20AP is attached.   Your buses affected by Recall R20AP 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 R20AP, please read the enclosed notification carefully.  Recall R20AP must be completed, as soon as possible.  To correct this potential issue, Blue Bird will notify owners by mail and provide the affected dealers and owners with the necessary remedy instructions to inspect and repair, as needed.

 

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of the repairs related to this recall at no cost to the vehicle owner. The standard repair time (SRT) to accomplish these repairs in accordance with the R20AP remedy procedure(s) is outlined below.

 

Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign:

• Repair A (Inspection)
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair B (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.4 (24 minutes)

 

If you have already had R20AP 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.

 

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  lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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R20AP

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-258 (School Bus)
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-259 (Non-School Bus)

 

DATE: June 23, 2020

SUBJECT: Recall R20AP, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units with Orscheln Foot Pedal Park Brake Assembly

 

Dear Blue Bird Owner:                

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 voluntarily recalling the following:

• Certain model year 2020 to 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Buses
  • manufactured from April 23, 2019 through February 26, 2020
• Certain model year 2020-2021 All American School Buses
  • manufactured from April 18, 2019 through December 22, 2019
• Certain model year 2020-2021 Vision Non-School Buses
  • manufactured from May 1, 2019 through February 5, 2020
• Certain model year 2021 All American Non-School Buses
  • manufactured from September 17, 2019 through September 18, 2019

On the subject buses, it has been determined that certain Blue Bird buses could fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 105 “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” for the parking brake system requirements. Subject buses may fail to meet the FMVSS 105 S5.2.3 requirements for holding the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes on a 20% grade, when loaded to its maximum gross vehicle weight.

Blue Bird must conduct a recall to correct this noncompliance.  The potentially suspect population includes buses equipped with hydraulic brakes with the Orscheln foot pedal park brake assembly (Part Numbers 10064449 and  10064450). Blue Bird shall conduct a voluntary safety recall to correct any potential noncompliance. Blue Bird has evaluated the risk to motor vehicle safety related to this noncompliance.  Blue Bird determined that there is a potential for injury to the occupant and bystanders in the event that the parking brake assembly was improperly assembled; thereby, producing an insufficient application force at the park brake drum.  A parked bus that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk of injury and/or a crash.  Therefore, the bus should be parked on a level surface and properly chock the wheels until the foot pedal park brake assembly has been inspected.

 

Corrective Action:  

To correct this noncompliance, Blue Bird will notify the affected owners and will provide inspection instructions for the Orscheln foot pedal park brake assembly (Part Numbers 10064449 and 10064450). In the event that the park brake assembly is installed incorrectly, the Blue Bird dealer will adjust the brake assembly according to the provided instructions.

 

Labor Reimbursement:  

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign are as follows:

• Repair A (Inspection)
  • 0.1 (6 minutes)
• Repair B (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed)
  • 0.4 (24 minutes)

 

Administering the Recall:  

Blue Bird recommends that you contact your local or nearest Blue Bird Dealer to arrange for this recall to be performed. The Dealer can perform the repairs, or arrange for repairs to be performed by a service repair facility authorized by the Dealer. However, you may elect to perform this recall yourself or pay another independent repair facility to perform this recall.  A qualified technician should perform this recall. If you elect to perform this recall yourself or pay another independent repair facility to perform this recall, complete and submit the Pink Owner’s Recall Reply Sheet provided. The Recall Reply Sheet includes a section for the owner to request reimbursement of the owner’s labor or to request reimbursement for a labor invoice paid by the owner to an independent repair facility.

 

Parts to complete Recall R20AP are not required for this campaign.  

 

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

 

If the modifications directed by this notification were performed on your bus prior to the receipt of this recall notification, attach a copy of the work order/invoice. Mail the documents in the pink self-addressed postage prepaid envelope included with the pink reply sheet to Blue Bird for warranty consideration. 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.

 

Please contact your local Blue Bird Dealer with any questions regarding this recall campaign. 

 

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

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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R20AP

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-258 (School Bus)

NHTSA Campaign Number:  20V-259 (Non-School Bus)

 

DATE: June 23, 2020

TO: U.S. DEALERS

SUBJECT: Recall R20AP, FMVSS 105 Noncompliance – Hydraulic Brake Units with Orscheln Foot Pedal Park Brake Assembly

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 voluntarily recalling the following:

• Certain model year 2020 to 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Buses
  • manufactured from April 23, 2019 through February 26, 2020
• Certain model year 2020-2021 All American School Buses
  • manufactured from April 18, 2019 through December 22, 2019
• Certain model year 2020-2021 Vision Non-School Buses
  • manufactured from May 1, 2019 through February 5, 2020
• Certain model year 2021 All American Non-School Buses
  • manufactured from September 17, 2019 through September 18, 2019

On the subject buses, it has been determined that certain Blue Bird buses could fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 105 “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems” for the parking brake system requirements. Subject buses may fail to meet the FMVSS 105 S5.2.3 requirements for holding the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes on a 20% grade, when loaded to its maximum gross vehicle weight.

 

Blue Bird must conduct a recall to correct this noncompliance.  The potentially suspect population includes buses equipped with hydraulic brakes with the Orscheln foot pedal park brake assembly (Part Numbers 10064449 and  10064450). Blue Bird shall conduct a voluntary safety recall to correct any potential noncompliance. Blue Bird has evaluated the risk to motor vehicle safety related to this noncompliance.  Blue Bird determined that there is a potential for injury to the occupant and bystanders in the event that the parking brake assembly was improperly assembled; thereby, producing an insufficient application force at the park brake drum.  A parked bus that moves unexpectedly could increase the risk of injury and/or a crash.  Therefore, the bus should be parked on a level surface and properly chock the wheels until the foot pedal park brake assembly has been inspected.

 

Corrective Action:  

To correct this noncompliance, Blue Bird will notify the affected dealers and owners and will provide inspection instructions for the Orscheln foot pedal park brake assembly (Part Numbers 10064449 and 10064450). In the event that the park brake assembly is installed incorrectly, the Blue Bird dealer will adjust the brake assembly according to the provided instructions.

 

Labor Reimbursement:  

Blue Bird will reimburse the labor cost of potential repairs relating to this recall at no cost to you the Dealer or to the vehicle owner.  Repair Options and allowable labor times for this campaign are as follows:

• Repair A (Inspection) o 1 (6 minutes)
• Repair B (Yoke Adjustment – As Needed) o 4 (24 minutes)

 

Parts to complete Recall R20AP are not required for this campaign.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 Lisa Hancock at 478-822-2242 or lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com  Questions regarding this recall campaign should be directed to Lisa Hancock, as well.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Hancock
Corporate Recall Administrator
Blue Bird Corporation
402 Blue Bird Blvd, Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
Phone 478.822.2242  lisa.hancock@blue-bird.com

 

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
3920 Arkwright Road, Suite 200, Macon, GA  31210 – (478) 825-2021

 

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4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
BLUE BIRD	ALL AMERICAN	2020-2021
BLUE BIRD	VISION	2020-2021

 

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11 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V258-3324.pdf 245.386KB

 

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Non-Compliance Notice 573 Report FMVSS 105

RCLRPT-20V258-8373.PDF 216.144KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-20V258-7082.PDF 216.153KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V258-7269.pdf 803.988KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V258-7077.pdf 835.143KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V258-9721.pdf 365.071KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-2

RCLQRT-20V258-3585.PDF 211.149KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V258-4080.PDF 211.335KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-20V258-2604.pdf 1645.463KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V258-7420.PDF 211.246KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V258-2029.PDF 211.443KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V258&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2025-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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