Blue Bird Recalls 2012 School Buses Due to Emergency Window Handle Defect
Blue Bird is recalling certain 2012 All American and Vision school buses because incorrect rivets may cause emergency window handles to detach, posing a risk of children falling or climbing out.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (school bus emergency exit) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for products with potential for harm but no confirmed incidents.
Plain-English summary
Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2012 All American and Vision school buses manufactured between August 2, 2011, and September 14, 2011. These vehicles are equipped with Spectal Industries vertical emergency exit windows. The recall affects 59 units identified by specific part numbers listed in the official notice.
The defect involves the potential use of incorrect rivets to attach the handles used to open the emergency windows. If a handle detaches during a non-emergency situation, the window cannot be re-secured, which poses a risk that children may fall or climb out. However, the source notes that if the handle were to detach during an actual emergency, the exit window would still open and egress would not be hindered.
Blue Bird will notify owners and provide repair kits free of charge. The safety recall was expected to begin on or about November 14, 2011. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, VISION
- Brand
- BLUE BIRD
- Manufacturer
- BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Affected units
- 59
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- ALL AMERICAN
- VISION
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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