# NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE09029
> **SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING ** · Opened 2009-06-05 · Closed 2009-08-28
## Investigation
- **Action number:** PE09029
- **Type:** Preliminary Evaluation
- **Open date:** 2009-06-05
- **Close date:** 2009-08-28
- **Manufacturer:** Blue Bird Body Company
- **Affected makes:** BLUE BIRD
- **Affected components:** STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- **Affected model years:** 2007, 2008, 2009
- **Affected (make, year) variants:** 3
## Summary

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED SIX FLEET COMPLAINTS (19 BUSES TOTAL) ALLEGING REPEATED ISSUES OF THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR GASKET FAILING.IT WAS ALLEGED THAT THE DEGRADED GASKET FELL INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESULTING IN AN INCREASEDSTEERING EFFORT.ODI IS AWARE OF TWO BUSES THAT, WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING OPERATIONS. REPORTEDLY, THE POWER STEERING GASKETS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH INCORRECT MATERIAL SUBSTITUTED BY ONE OF THE GASKET MATERIAL SUPPLIERS. AFTER ANEVALUATION INTO THIS ISSUE, BLUE BIRD AUTHORIZED A SAFETY RECALL. THE ORIGINAL POWER STEERING LID GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW GASKET MATERIAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY BLUE BIRD RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

## Source
- [NHTSA ODI investigation page](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?searchType=ID&targetCategory=I&searchCriteria.nhtsa_ids=PE09029)
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