Door operator connecting rod
Defect 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.
Safety 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.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Blue Bird Body Company or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 05V281000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 05V281000?
NHTSA recall 05V281000 was issued by Blue Bird Body Company on June 15, 2005. It addresses: Door operator connecting rod. The recall affects approximately 45 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Blue Bird Body Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 05V281000 or the manufacturer campaign number R04JY. 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.