Vehicle recall 05V281000 · June 15, 2005

2003-2006 Blue Bird Ultra LF

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…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: 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.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 05V281000
Reported to NHTSA: June 15, 2005
Filed by: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufacturer campaign: R04JY
Owner notification: October 18, 2005
Vehicles potentially affected: 45
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments

Recall 05V281000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Blue Bird Ultra LF (2003-2006): 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003

Has your Blue Bird been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

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