NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

BLUE BIRD/12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE

NHTSA #01V191000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported June 11, 2001 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 5,631 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R01FF · Owners notified July 30, 2001 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REAR MOUNTED ENGINES. THE 12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE(S) MAY BE CHAFFED BY HOSES, HARNESSES, FRAME COMPONENTS, OR CLAMPS.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE 12-VOLT POWER CABLE(S) FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 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

BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R01FF.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/BRAKE LINES

NHTSA #00V051000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported February 22, 2000 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 3,113 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign 400DR · Owners notified March 8, 2000 · Vehicles built March 19, 1998 – February 3, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE TREADLE VALVE AIR LINES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

Safety consequence

WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, FUTURE MAINTENANCE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS INCONSISTENCY, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 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/WIRING HARNESS

NHTSA #98V313000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Front Underhood · NHTSA notice

Reported December 14, 1998 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 2,740 vehicles

Owners notified December 17, 1998 · Vehicles built February 26, 1998 – November 27, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT FORWARD AND REAR ENGINE BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB AND ISC ENGINES. THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER CAN CHAFE AGAINST THE ENGINE AND WEAR THROUGH CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY. THE SHORT CAUSES THE FUSIBLE LINK TO FAIL.

Safety consequence

WHEN THE FUSIBLE LINK FAILS, INSULATION ON THE FUSIBLE LINK CAN IGNITE, CREATING A FIRE RISK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY HARNESS WITH FUSIBLE LINKS WITH A NEW GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY HARNESS EQUIPPED WITH FUSES. IN ADDITION, A CLAMP WILL BE ADDED TO SUPPORT THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE ENGINE COMPONENTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 17, 1998. 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).

Other Blue Bird Q-Bus model years

Check your 1998 Blue Bird Q-Bus VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Blue Bird Q-Bus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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