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Blue Bird Vision Recall 16V100: Starter Cable Wiring Error Can Overheat and Cause Fire

NHTSA campaign 16V100, reported February 23, 2016, 733 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Certain school buses have the positive starter cable attached to the same power distribution stud as the battery cable. The battery cable is the smaller of the two, so during engine cranking it can carry a higher current than it was designed for.

This overload can cause the battery cable to overheat, melting its insulation and increasing the risk of a short circuit and fire.

The repair is free at an authorized dealer. The dealer will move the starter cable to the chassis power stud and replace any damaged battery cables. Owners can also contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242, and should check their vehicle's VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 16V100Blue Bird Body Company
Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Problem
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Vision school buses manufactured from May 10, 2007, through March 5, 2008 and equipped with Caterpillar C707 engines. In the affected buses, the positive starter cable may be incorrectly attached to the same Power Distribution Unit (PDU) stud as the battery cable, exposing the smaller battery cable to a higher current draw during cranking.
Risk
Exposure to high current draw may cause the battery cable to overheat, melt the wire insulation and increase the risk of a short circuit and a fire.
Remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the starter cable to the chassis power stud. Any damaged battery cables will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R16YL-SB.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Blue Bird Vision20082009