SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING
This investigation led to a safety recall.
This investigation resulted in a recall: NHTSA recall 09V284000 (predates CarsApp's recall coverage — view on NHTSA)
- Manufacturer
- Blue Bird Body Company
- Component
- STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Opened
- Jun 5, 2009
- Closed
- Aug 28, 2009
- Model years
- 2007–2009
- Type
- Preliminary Evaluation
Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED SIX FLEET COMPLAINTS (19 BUSES TOTAL) ALLEGING REPEATED ISSUES OF THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR GASKET FAILING.IT WAS ALLEGED THAT THE DEGRADED GASKET FELL INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESULTING IN AN INCREASEDSTEERING EFFORT.ODI IS AWARE OF TWO BUSES THAT, WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING OPERATIONS. REPORTEDLY, THE POWER STEERING GASKETS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH INCORRECT MATERIAL SUBSTITUTED BY ONE OF THE GASKET MATERIAL SUPPLIERS. AFTER ANEVALUATION INTO THIS ISSUE, BLUE BIRD AUTHORIZED A SAFETY RECALL. THE ORIGINAL POWER STEERING LID GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW GASKET MATERIAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY BLUE BIRD RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Vehicles under investigation (3)
- BLUE BIRD VISION2007
- BLUE BIRD VISION2008
- BLUE BIRD VISION2009
Source: NHTSA investigation PE09029. Investigations are NHTSA's review of a potential safety issue and may or may not result in a recall.