2013 Blue Bird ALL American recalls and problems
The 2013 Blue Bird ALL American has 28 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Blue Bird dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2013 Blue Bird ALL American vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2013 Blue Bird ALL American recalls
Recall 20V-234: Parking Brake
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2021 Vision and 2007-2013 All American school buses. The floor-mounted parking brake may fail to hold the vehicle stationary on an incline when the vehicle is loaded to its maximum weight, due to an insufficient application force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
Risk: A parking brake system that is set to an insufficient application force may result in an increased possibility of unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and correct the application force, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AO-SB.
Recall 20V-125: Seats
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 18V-801: Equipment
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the clamps fail with patients in the stretchers, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Recall 16V-172: Seats
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-731: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-730: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-294: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-293: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-136: Seat Belts
Problem: 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."
Risk: If the seat belts are improperly anchored, there is an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-060: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V-059: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-511: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-510: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-436: Fuel System, Other
Problem: 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.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source could potentially cause a fire or explosion.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-314: Engine and Engine Cooling
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 All American rear engine non-school buses manufactured May 9, 2007, to November 12, 2012. Due to the design of the thermostat, a heater hose may rupture which could result in hot coolant entering the passenger compartment.
Risk: Hot coolant leaking into the passenger compartment increases the risk of injury to the passengers.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the thermostat and change the passenger compartment heater supply hose, free of charge. The recall began on July 15, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XF.
Older recalls
| Recall | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V-313 | Jun 11, 2014 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 All American rear engine school buses manufactured April 3, 2007, to December 15, 2012. |
| 14V-309 | Jun 5, 2014 | Steering | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American school buses manufactured August 20, 2011, through May 21, 2014. |
| 14V-306 | Jun 5, 2014 | Steering | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American transit buses manufactured September 1, 2011 through May 16, 2014. |
| 14V-215 | Apr 23, 2014 | Engine and Engine Cooling | 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… |
| 14V-083 | Feb 27, 2014 | Engine and Engine Cooling | 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… |
| 13V-332 | Jul 31, 2013 | Structure | 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. |
| 13V-200 | May 15, 2013 | Seats | 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. |
| 12V-359 | Jul 25, 2012 | Seat Belts | Blue Bird is recalling model year 2013 All American and Vision school buses manufactured from April 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012. |
| 12V-360 | Jul 25, 2012 | Seat Belts | Blue Bird is recalling model year 2013 All American and Vision non-school buses manufactured from April 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012. |
| 12V-277 | Jun 18, 2012 | Equipment | Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2013 all american rear engine school buses and one aftermarket brake treadle valve. |
| 12V-261 | Jun 8, 2012 | Structure | Blue bird corporation (Blue bird) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2013 all american and vision school buses manufactured from april 7, 2011, through march 21, 2012, equipped with specialty manufacturing inc. |
| 12V-217 | May 15, 2012 | Service Brakes, Air | Blue bird corporation (Blue bird) is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2013 all american and vision school buses manufactured from may 30, 2009, through april 4, 2012 and equipped with air brakes. |
| 12V-218 | May 15, 2012 | Service Brakes, Air | Blue bird corporation (Blue bird) is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2013 all american and vision non school buses manufactured from may 30, 2009, through april 4, 2012 and equipped with air brakes. |
2013 Blue Bird ALL American problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 85,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2013 Blue Bird ALL American complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Blue Bird ALL American years
Compare all Blue Bird ALL American years · All Blue Bird models
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Blue Bird ALL American have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 28 recalls for the 2013 Blue Bird ALL American: 20V-234 (parking brake), 20V-125 (seats), 18V-801 (equipment), 16V-172 (seats), 15V-731 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Blue Bird ALL American?
Owners report service brakes problems most often (1 reports). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 85,000 miles.
Are Blue Bird recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Blue Bird dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.