The worst 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 7
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Certain 1998 through 2002 blue bird all american, tc2000 school and transit buses, and commercial series buses equipped with cummins isb diesel engines. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. For more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Recall number 05V062000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- On certain school and transit buses equipped with cummins isb 6 cylinder engines, the lower alternator support brace or mounting hardware can loosen or break which will allow the alternator to drop onto the engine.
- Risk
- In this event, the electrical wiring harness may be damaged and the possibility of fire may exist.
- Remedy
- Cummins will notify customers and replace the upper and lower alternator support brackets free of charge. Owners who take their vehicle to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cummins at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or blue bird at 478‑822‑2242.
Recall number 03V085000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- On certain front engine school and transit buses equipped with blue bird option 40177 cummins isb engine, the alternator power cables may not be routed properly from the alternator output to the starter motor.
- Risk
- If the cables are not routed properly, the cable insulation could be abraded by contact with other chassis components resulting in a short to ground.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a loom and reroute the electrical power cable from alternator output to starting motor. The alternator power cable will be replaced if abrasions are found. Owner notification is expected to begin on or about september 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1‑478‑822‑2242.
Recall number 02V233000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
- 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.
Recall number 01V191000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.
Recall number 00V162000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school buses equipped with transit sliding pushout windows. Potential sticking and/or binding of the pushout window inner frame within the outer frame results in opening forces exceeding the requirements of fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."
- Risk
- Personal injury could occur in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with step-by-step procedures for modifying the transit sliding pushout windows to conform the fmvss 217 requirements.
Recall number 00V130000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Recall number 00V051000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
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Questions about the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series
Is the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series have?
7 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, electrical system and service brakes, air.
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