NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Blue Bird LTC 40 Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

BLUE BIRD/FMVSS 217/EMERGENCY EXIT

NHTSA #02V230000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 5, 2002 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 194 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R02GF · Owners notified September 20, 2002 · Vehicles built November 21, 1997 – July 30, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN COACHES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL RESTROOM FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE PUSHOUT WINDOW LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AT THE REAR OF THE BUS, IS SUBSTANTIALLY OBSTRUCTED BY THE RESTROOM AND YET IT IS LABELED AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY EXIT THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO REMOVE THE LABEL IDENTIFYING THE WINDOW AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242, IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/PARCEL RACKS

NHTSA #02V197000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported July 23, 2002 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 150 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R02GD · Owners notified July 24, 2002 · Vehicles built August 24, 1998 – July 18, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TOUR TYPE COACHES EQUIPPED WITH PARCEL RACKS, IRREGULARITIES IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE FASTENERS USED TO RETAIN THE PARCEL RACKS TO THE COACH STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN THE FASTENERS LOOSENING ALLOWING THE PARCEL RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT THE FASTENERS BECOME DISLODGED AND THE RACKS SHOULD FALL WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO IMMEDIATELY INSTALL INTERIM REPAIR BOLTS THROUGH THE COACH ROOF BOW STRUCTURE ON THE AISLE SIDE OF THE FIRST TWO PARCEL RACK SECTIONS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE PARCEL RACKS ON ALL AFFECTED COACHES. FINAL REPAIRS CAN THEN BE COMPLETED AT A LATER DATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 24, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT

NHTSA #02V154000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2002 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 436 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R02GA · Owners notified July 31, 2002 · Vehicles built April 30, 1998 – April 18, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TOUR COACHES, A 'CHECK TRANS' WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS REQUIRED BY ALLISON TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WAS OMITTED. IN THE EVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONS (LOOSES POWER OR SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT), THE COMPUTER WILL STOP ACCEPTING INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR UNIT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE HELD IN THE LAST VALID RANGE SELECTED. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE SELECTED DISPLAY ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR WILL BE BLANK OR A DASH, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT A MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.

Safety consequence

THE DRIVER MAY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND REMAIN IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A "CHECK TRANS" WARNING LIGHT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/FMVSS 121/VALVE

NHTSA #01V076000 · Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA notice

Reported March 16, 2001 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 88 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R01EV · Owners notified April 27, 2001 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – March 6, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE AN R12-DC VALVE OR SECONDARY CONTROL LINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Safety consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THE VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE REQUIRED VALVE AND SECONDARY CONTROL LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-822-2242.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/BENDIX AIR BRAKE VALVE

NHTSA #00V162000 · Service Brakes, Air — Controls — Foot Control/Valve · NHTSA notice

Reported June 12, 2000 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 9,687 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R00DX · Owners notified June 14, 2000 · Vehicles built October 15, 1997 – May 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX AIR BRAKES. BENDIX CHANGED THE INTERNAL DESIGN OF THE QR1C RELAY VALVE BY ADDING A HOLE IN THE INTERNAL DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM ALIGNS WITH THE HOLE IN THE VALVE BODY, THE BRAKE APPLICATION TIME INCREASES.

Safety consequence

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, DRIVER ACTIVATES THE PARKING BRAKE BUT REMOVES FOOT FROM THE THREADLE VALVE, THE BUS COULD ROLL BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/PARCEL RACK FASTENERS

NHTSA #99V330000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 1999 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 38 vehicles

Owners notified December 17, 1999 · Vehicles built August 24, 1998 – November 11, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THE FASTENERS USED TO ATTACH PARCEL RACKS TO BODY STRUCTURE MAY BECOME DISLODGED ALLOWING THE RACKS TO FALL WITHOUT WARNING.

Safety consequence

IF THE PARCEL RACKS FELL, A PASSENGER COULD BE INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES, BY REMOVING THE PARCEL RACK, ADDING A REINFORCEMENT ANGLE OVER JOINT, AND RE-INSTALLING THE PARCEL RACK USING RIVETS AND PK SCREWS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-822-2242. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/SUSPENSION

NHTSA #99V162000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 1999 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 204 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R99DA · Owners notified July 28, 1999 · Vehicles built May 1, 1996 – May 31, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL TAG AXLES. SOME OF THE RIDEWELL TAG AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES HAVE THE BRAKE S-CAMS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING THE BRAKE S-CAM AND IF FOUND INCORRECT, INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECTION OF THE S-CAM INSTALLATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 1999.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE INSPECTION AND CORRECTION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-822-2242. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40.

Other Blue Bird LTC 40 model years

Check your 1998 Blue Bird LTC 40 VIN

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