2003–2006 Blue Bird Ultra LF Recall: ON CERTAIN COMMERCIALTRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VAPOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES…
NHTSA campaign 05V281000 · Structure · filed Jun 15, 2005 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN COMMERCIALTRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VAPOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES, THE TWO PIECE CURVED CONNECTING RODS WHEN USED AS AN ELEMENT OF THE DOOR ACTUATION LINKAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VAPOR MEDIUM PNEUMATIC DIFFERENTIAL ENGINE, MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FAILURE RESULTING IN BENDING OR BREAKING OF THE CONNECTING ROD.
The risk
A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD CAN ALLOW THE DOOR PANEL TO MOVE FREELY IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER, LEAVING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNPROTECTED BY THE DOOR PANEL AND ENABLING A PROTRUDING DOOR PANEL TO STRIKE PERSONS OR OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH VAPOR BUS INTERNATIONAL TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE REMEDY CONSISTS OF REPLACING THE TWO PIECE CONNECTING ROD WITH A ONE PIECE CONNECTING ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242 OR VAPOR AT 847-777-6400.
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R04JY.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Blue Bird Ultra LF recalls
- 2004–2007 Blue Bird Express 4000 and 3 other models — Specific potting compound used in the subject products for…
- 2003–2007 Blue Bird Ultra LF — Cracks may develop in the bracket which secures the power…
- 2004–2006 Blue Bird Ultra LF — CERTAIN COMMERCIAL SERIES TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH…
- 2002–2005 Blue Bird Ultra LF — CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS…
- 2004 Blue Bird Express 4000 and 3 other models — CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, MOTOR HOMES, COMMUTER COACHES, AND…
Other campaigns involving Blue Bird vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 05V281000 (manufacturer number R04JY). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.