2012 Blue Bird Vision recalls and problems
The 2012 Blue Bird Vision has 19 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Blue Bird dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2012 Blue Bird Vision vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2012 Blue Bird Vision 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-235: Parking Brake
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2009-2019 Vision transit 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 injury to bystanders.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and adjust 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 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 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-297: Fuel System, Other
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Vision school buses manufactured January 10, 2012, to April 24, 2013, and equipped with a Roush CleanTech LLC propane fuel system. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected vehicles may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
Risk: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fitting with a new stainless steel fitting, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XD.
Recall 13V-332: Structure
Problem: 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."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, there is an increased risk that the window panels may separate and fall onto occupants causing injury.
Fix: 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.
Recall 13V-200: Seats
Problem: 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").
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 12V-262: Structure
Problem: Blue bird corporation (Blue bird) is recalling certain model year 2012 all american and vision non-school buses manufactured from may 20, 2011, through october 20, 2012, equipped with specialty manufacturing inc. (Smi) prolo roof hatches. Increased friction between the rear plate assemblies, p/no. 009327, and the nylon rear pop-up support, p/no. 008956, may result in an opening force of the prolo roof hatches that exceeds federal standard requirements. Thus, these hatches fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."
Risk: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Blue bird will notify owners. Smi will provide service kits along with repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 21, 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242 or smi at 1-800-951-7867.
Recall 12V-261: Structure
Problem: 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. (Smi) prolo roof hatches. Increased friction between the rear plate assemblies, p/no. 009327, and the nylon rear pop-up support, p/no. 008956, may result in an opening force of the prolo roof hatches that exceeds federal standard requirements. Thus, these hatches fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."
Risk: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Blue bird will notify owners. Smi will provide service kits along with repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 21, 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242 or smi at 1-800-951-7867.
Recall 12V-217: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: 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. The primary and secondary air brake lines may have been crossed at the brake treadle valve. Incorrect installation of the air brake lines at the air brake treadle valve fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems."
Risk: In the event of a brake system problem, incorrect installation of the air brake lines could result in a reduction or complete loss of brake action, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blue bird will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The recall began on may 23, 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Recall 12V-218: Service Brakes, Air
Problem: 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. The primary and secondary air brake lines may have been crossed at the brake treadle valve. Incorrect installation of the air brake lines at the air brake treadle valve fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems."
Risk: In the event of a brake system problem, incorrect installation of the air brake lines could result in a reduction or complete loss of brake action, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Blue bird will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The recall began on may 23, , 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Recall 11V-504: Structure
Problem: Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2012 all american and vision school buses manufactured from august 2, 2011, through september 14, 2011, equipped with spectal industries vertical emergency exit windows. Incorrect rivets may have been used to attach the handles that an occupant would use to open the window in the event of an emergency. The part numbers for the blue bird buses are as follows: 129185, 129195, 129197, 129199, 129201, 129202, 129203, 129205, 129207, 129209, 129210, 129228, 129230, 129232, 129234, 129236, 129238, 129240, 129242, and 129243.
Risk: If the handle is actuated during a non-emergency situation and detaches, the emergency window cannot be re-secured, posing a risk that children may fall or climb out. However, if the handle were to detach during an emergency, the exit window will open and egress through the window will not be hindered.
Fix: Blue bird will notify owners, and provide repair kits, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 14, 2011. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Older recalls
| Recall | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V-423 | Aug 17, 2011 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 all american school buses manufactured from october 13, 2010, through march 8, 2011, and vision school buses manufactured from october 2, 2010, through february 2… |
| 11V-424 | Aug 17, 2011 | Engine and Engine Cooling | Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 all american non-school buses manufactured from november 2, 2010, through march 17, 2011, and vision conventional non-november 2, 2010, through march 17, 2011… |
| 11V-247 | Apr 22, 2011 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2009 through 2012 vision school buses manufactured from october 7, 2008, through january 19, 2011, equipped with an optional fuel filter located on the driver's control module. |
| 11V-086 | Feb 10, 2011 | Structure | Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 vision and all american model school buses manufactured from october 18, 2010, through january 6, 2011. |
2012 Blue Bird Vision problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Brake | 1 |
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 2012 Blue Bird Vision complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Blue Bird Vision years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Blue Bird Vision have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2012 Blue Bird Vision: 20V-234 (parking brake), 20V-235 (parking brake), 20V-125 (seats), 15V-731 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 15V-730 (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 2012 Blue Bird Vision?
Owners report parking brake problems most often (1 reports).
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.