Alleged inadequate recall remedy 07V-586

On December 11, 2007, Blue Bird Corporation (BBC) submitted an uninfluenced recall 07V-586 to the agency. This recall described a defect on fifty eight 2005–2007 Model Year (MY) Wanderlodge Recreational Vehicles (RV) where the curb weight of the front axle could exceed the axle’s 16,000 pound rating. To address the issue, BBC replaced the tie rods on the vehicle to a more robust version increasing the rating of the front axle to 17,000 pounds. In addition, BBC relocated a generator rearward from the front of the vehicle and provided updated storage bay weight limit placards for installation in each of the vehicles three storage bays. On March 11, 2008, BBC submitted an amendment to the 07V-586 recall. In this amendment, BBC added three more remedial actions to the original recall. In addition to the original recall remedies, BBC would replace the front tires (with the same model tires) perform a front end alignment, and add new tire data placards instructing operators to maintain the vehicle tire pressure at 130 psi (the maximum tire pressure for that model tire). Following receipt of a consumer complaint (10226544) alleging that some of the vehicles subject to recall 07V-586 had front axle curb weights in excess of 17,000 pounds and that operators did not have a reasonable way to maintain tire pressures at 130 psi (as required by recall 07V-586), NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ08-004. The recall query was (Continued on page 2)