Blue bird/trw steering systems/tie rod
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: school and transit buses and motor home chassis equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. the suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Safety Consequence
If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.
Corrective Action
Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. owner notification began march 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 or trw customer service at 1-866-280-3287.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Blue Bird Body Company or involving Steering.
FAQ: Recall 01V044003
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 01V044003?
NHTSA recall 01V044003 was issued by Blue Bird Body Company on February 23, 2001. It addresses: Blue bird/trw steering systems/tie rod. The recall affects approximately 842 vehicles, with the defect involving the Steering component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Blue Bird Body Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 01V044003 or the manufacturer campaign number R01ET. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.