2018 Blue Bird ALL American recalls and problems
The 2018 Blue Bird ALL American has 19 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Blue Bird dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2018 Blue Bird ALL American vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2018 Blue Bird ALL American recalls
Recall 23V-778: Structure
Problem: 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."
Risk: An unsecured seat restraining barrier may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Recall 23V-276: Power Train
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 All American and Vision School Buses, equipped with PowerDrive 7000 electric drive systems. The System Control Module (SCM) may activate the anti-rollback feature, causing the vehicle to reverse faster than expected when the vehicle is in reverse and pointing downhill with the brake pedal not applied.
Risk: A vehicle reversing faster than expected can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the SCM software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 10, 2023. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R23CG (SB)
Recall 22V-505: Electrical System
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2022 All American and Vision school buses equipped with Cummins PD7000 Electric Drivetrains containing an electric air compressor. The air compressor housing is improperly grounded, causing electrical voltage greater than 50V AC during operation.
Risk: An improperly grounded air compressor can cause electric shock, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will install an electrical ground strap between the compressor motor housing and vehicle chassis, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2023. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BY-SB.
Recall 21V-313: Fuel System, Diesel
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2022 All American vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R21BH-NSB.
Recall 21V-312: Fuel System, Diesel
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2022 All American buses. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R21BH-SB.
Recall 21V-300: Power Train, Steering
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The drivetrain may experience an electromagnetic noise on the Control Area Network (CAN) bus, which may cause a loss of electrical power to the power steering pump.
Risk: A loss of assisted power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will replace the High Voltage Low Power Inverter Harness, and install an overlay harness, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 22, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.
Recall 21V-253: Electrical System
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The electric drive train cannot detect isolation faults when the high voltage contactors are closed.
Risk: An undetected high voltage isolation can expose service personnel to high voltage, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will update the Vehicle Control Unit software or install a different combination of High Voltage Power Distribution Unit hardware, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2021. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R21BD-SB.
Recall 20V-409: Seat Belts
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 All-American and 2019-2021 Vision school buses. The three-point seatbelt assembly may have been installed without reinforcing washers under the floor at the anchorage point, possibly preventing the assembly from remaining anchored in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: In the event of a crash, seat belt anchorages that do not remain secured increase the risk of injury to those seat occupants.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt anchorage point hardware and install any missing hardware as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 11, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AX.
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 20V-074: Power Train
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with 7000 EV electric drivetrain units. A connector within the wire harnesses may become unplugged causing loss of communication between control modules, resulting in sudden loss of drive power and power steering.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power and loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Cummins dealers will install a cable tie on the connector to maintain the connector locking tab in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AL-SB.
Recall 19V-765: Power Train, Hybrid Propulsion System
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Cummins PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain units. Due to a software error, the VCU may activate the anti-roll back feature during slow moving or stop and go conditions, which can cause unexpected vehicle movement.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blue Bird has notified owners, and Cummins dealers will update the VCU software, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2019. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AJ-SB.
Recall 19V-526: Structure
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Specialty Manufacturing Prolo roof emergency exit hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
Risk: If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Specialty dealers will replace the outer handle, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AF - SB.
Recall 19V-471: Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrains. The Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) may unexpectedly shut down the high voltage contactors, resulting in loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power steering.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive and power steering may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will notify Blue Bird owners and will update the VCU software with a revised version, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AE (SB).
Recall 19V-393: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Vision and 2015-2020 All American non-school buses equipped with ADB22X disc brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.
Risk: A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increasing the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - NSB.
Recall 19V-391: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Bendix ADB22X air brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.
Risk: A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increase the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - SB.
Older recalls
| Recall | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-082 | Feb 11, 2019 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Ricon S-Series Titanium Wheelchair lifts. |
| 18V-801 | Nov 14, 2018 | Equipment | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses. |
| 18V-263 | Apr 25, 2018 | Electrical System, Service Brakes, Air | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision school buses. |
| 18V-264 | Apr 25, 2018 | Electrical System, Service Brakes, Air | Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision transit buses. |
Other Blue Bird ALL American years
Compare all Blue Bird ALL American years · All Blue Bird models
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Blue Bird ALL American have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2018 Blue Bird ALL American: 23V-778 (structure), 23V-276 (power train), 22V-505 (electrical system), 21V-313 (fuel system, diesel), 21V-312 (fuel system, diesel) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.