2014 Blue Bird ALL AMERICAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2013-05-15 (May 15, 2013)

Blue Bird is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 All American and Vision model school buses manufactured from August 25, 2009, through March 19, 2013, and equipped with C. E. White Inc. Flip Seats models Quasi Static "QSJ11" (30", 36", 39" and 45"), Student Safety Seat "SSSJ" (30", 36", 39" and 45"), or School Bus Seat "SBJ" (30", 36", 39" and 45").

Consequence: When a Flip Seat is installed in front of another passenger seat, it is possible for the occupant of the rearward passenger seat to insert their toes and/or foot into the lower frame area of the Flip Seat. When a vehicle passenger occupies the Flip Seat, pushing the seat bottom downward to the horizontal position to sit in the seat, the occupant of the rearward seat could suffer a pinch point injury to their toes and/or foot.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a safety guard to prevent passengers from placing their toes or feet in the opening on the back of the subject Flip Seats, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242 for more information. Blue Bird's number for this campaign is R13WF.

Reported: 2013-07-31 (July 31, 2013)

Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 All American and Vision school buses manufactured March 10, 2006, through June 18, 2013; and equipped with optional transit sliding windows. Joint adhesive may not have been applied at the interior and exterior body window panel joints. Without the adhesive, these vehicles fail to conform to the standards of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, there is an increased risk that the window panels may separate and fall onto occupants causing injury.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install additional rivets at the window panel joints, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WM.

Reported: 2013-10-31 (October 31, 2013)

Blue Bird Corporation (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 All American and Conventional school buses manufactured July 2, 2013, through October 3, 2013 and equipped with front suspension bolts marked with a "ZY" code on the bolt head. Due to a problem in the bolt manufacturing process, the bolts that hold the front suspension may break.

Consequence: A broken suspension bolt would require greater steering input to control the bus, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension bolts. Any bolts with a "ZY" code will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R13WR.

Reported: 2013-10-31 (October 31, 2013)

Blue Bird Corporation (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 All American and Conventional Vision non-school buses manufactured July 2, 2013, through October 3, 2013 and equipped with front suspension bolts marked with a "ZY" code on the bolt head. Due to a problem in the bolt manufacturing process, the bolts that hold the front suspension may break.

Consequence: A broken suspension bolt would require greater steering input to control the bus, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension bolts. Any bolts with a "ZY" code will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R13WR.

Reported: 2013-11-20 (November 20, 2013)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 Vision and All American model non-school buses manufactured August 23, 2013, through November 6, 2013 and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 driver's seat belts. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, this equipment fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle, and if necessary, replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird recall number R13WS.

Reported: 2013-11-20 (November 20, 2013)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 and 2015 Vision and All American model school buses manufactured August 23, 2013, through November 6, 2013 and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 driver's seat belts. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, this equipment fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle, and if necessary, replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number R13WS.

Reported: 2013-12-24 (December 24, 2013)

Blue Bird Corporation is recalling certain 2014-2015 model year All American and Vision school buses manufactured from September 24, 2013, through December 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a component within the hydraulic park brake pedal arm may not have been properly heat treated and may fracture causing the parking brake to release without warning.

Consequence: If the park brake pedal arm fractures, the bus may unexpectedly roll increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird has notified owners and dealers will install a new parking brake assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 31, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R13WT.

Reported: 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 All American rear engine school buses manufactured from December 8, 2008, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Consequence: The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy: Cummins and Cummins Westport will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Customers may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XB.

Reported: 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 Vision and All American school buses manufactured January 21, 2013, through February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the joint between the rear wheelhousing and body gusset panel may have partially separated during manufacturing. Thus, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Consequence: A joint separation between the rear wheelhousing and body gusset panel may increase the risk the injury to bus occupants in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the joint connections and install a two part adhesive and mechanical fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XC.

Reported: 2014-04-23 (April 23, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 All American rear engine non-school buses manufactured from June 23, 2010, through May 24, 2012, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G compressed natural gas engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Consequence: The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy: Cummins and Cummins Westport has notified owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Customers may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XB.

Reported: 2014-06-05 (June 5, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American transit buses manufactured September 1, 2011 through May 16, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.

Consequence: If the steering shaft clamp comes into contact with the rubber boot, additional effort would be needed to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XE.

Reported: 2014-06-05 (June 5, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American school buses manufactured August 20, 2011, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.

Consequence: If the steering shaft clamp comes into contact with the rubber boot, additional effort would be needed to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XE.

Reported: 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 All American rear engine school buses manufactured July 21, 2011 to April 30, 2014, and equipped with CNG fuel systems and delivered to or registered in the following "Cold Weather" states: Colorado, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming. In the affected vehicles, an O-ring in the pressure relief device for the compressed natural gas (CNG) system may fail at cold temperatures resulting in a natural gas leak.

Consequence: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source could potentially cause a fire or explosion.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original pressure relief device and o-ring with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XH.

Reported: 2014-08-19 (August 19, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American and Vision, 2007-2011 Micro Bird, and 2007-2008 Conventional school buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XN.

Reported: 2014-08-19 (August 19, 2014)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American, 2007-2010 Micro Bird, and 2007-2014 Vision non-school buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XN.

Reported: 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected school buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.

Consequence: If all the exhaust hangers were to fail, the housings may fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YB-SB.

Reported: 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine transit buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected transit buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.

Consequence: If all the exhaust hangers were to fail, the housings may fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables, free of charge. The recall began on March 5, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YB-NSB.

Reported: 2015-03-10 (March 10, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 All American A3FE, A3RE, T3FE, T3RE, and D3RE school buses manufactured June 28, 2012, to September 25, 2014, and 2013-2016 Vision BBCV school buses manufactured June 9, 2012, to September 30, 2014. Incorrect fasteners may have been used to secure the seat gusset reinforcement to the side wall resulting in the seat belts being improperly anchored. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: If the seat belts are improperly anchored, there is an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the the seat gusset reinforcement mounting fasteners, and will install an additional gusset reinforcement bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Birds number for this recall is R15YC-SB.

Reported: 2015-05-19 (May 19, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of Blue Bird, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YE-SB.

Reported: 2015-05-19 (May 19, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine non school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners on behalf of Blue Bird, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YE-NSB.

Reported: 2015-11-04 (November 4, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American, Vision, 2007-2011 Micro Bird, and 2007-2008 Conventional school buses, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2014 by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2015-11-04 (November 4, 2015)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American and Vision and 2007-2011 Micro Bird transit buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2014 by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2016-03-25 (March 25, 2016)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 All American school buses manufactured from August 20, 2010, through December 16, 2015. Buses with rear side emergency doors have seats over the wheelhouse area whose rear legs may detach from the floor in a crash, resulting in belted occupants traveling forward. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: If the seat does not allow the occupant to be properly restrained in the event of a crash, they would be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear leg assembly, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R16YM-SB.

Reported: 2018-11-14 (November 14, 2018)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses. The clamps that secure the stacked stretchers may fail from repeated use or from high loads.

Consequence: If the clamps fail with patients in the stretchers, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install redesigned clamps, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2018. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R18ZQ-NSB.

Reported: 2020-03-03 (March 3, 2020)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2008-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The seat barrier behind the driver seat with an integrated 3-point seat belt may have been installed incorrectly and may be missing the reinforcing bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat barrier may not adequately protect the occupant seated behind the seat barrier separating them from the driver seat with integrated 3-point seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly install the seat barrier including adding reinforcing bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 23, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AM-SB.

Reported: 2023-11-20 (November 20, 2023)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2014-2024 All American school buses equipped with 39" High Back seat restraining barriers. The bolts securing the restraining barriers to the floor may separate when fully loaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence: An unsecured seat restraining barrier may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will install a longer bolt with rectangular washer and nut, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R23CU-SB. This recall is an expansion of recall number 23V-777.