2016 Blue Bird Vision recalls and problems

The 2016 Blue Bird Vision has 27 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Blue Bird dealer.

Recalls
27
Complaints
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Blue Bird Vision vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Blue Bird Vision recalls

Recall 22V-736: Fuel System, Other

Reported Oct 4, 2022 · 66 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford 6.8L LPG engines. The LPG supply line may be damaged from contact with the RH park brake cable, which can result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel lines and the park brake cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22CA-SB.

Recall 20V-234: Parking Brake

Reported Apr 27, 2020 · 2,264 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

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

Reported Apr 27, 2020 · 3 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

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

Reported Mar 3, 2020 · 2,790 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

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 19V-796: Exterior Lighting

Reported Nov 6, 2019 · 112 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Vision transit buses equipped with Ford engines. The brake light switch mounting bracket may have caused the brake light switch to be incorrectly adjusted at installation and/or the brake light switch mounting bracket may deform when the driver allows the brake pedal to return forcibly. An incorrectly adjusted brake light switch or deformed brake light switch mounting bracket may cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously.

Risk: Improperly functioning brake lights could confuse following motorists and fail to warn them that the bus may be stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Blue Bird issued owners an interim notification December 10, 2019. Dealers will install a new, redesigned brake light switch mounting bracket along with a new brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AI-NSB.

Recall 19V-795: Exterior Lighting

Reported Nov 6, 2019 · 12,835 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Vision school buses equipped with Ford engines. The brake light switch mounting bracket may have caused the brake light switch to be incorrectly adjusted at installation and/or the brake light switch mounting bracket may deform when the driver allows the brake pedal to return forcibly. An incorrectly adjusted brake light switch or deformed brake light switch mounting bracket may cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously.

Risk: Improperly functioning brake lights could confuse following motorists and fail to warn them that the bus may be stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Blue Bird distributed owners an interim notification on December 10, 2019. Dealers will install a new, redesigned brake light switch mounting bracket along with a new brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is S19AI-SB.

Recall 19V-393: Service Brakes, Air

Reported May 24, 2019 · 70 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

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

Reported May 24, 2019 · 4,218 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

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.

Recall 19V-082: Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

Reported Feb 11, 2019 · 787 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: 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. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform raises above the height of the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user could fall inwards toward the vehicle, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the wheelchair lift positioning input cam, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZP-SB.

Recall 18V-884: Power Train, Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 12, 2018 · 5,169 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Blue Bird Vision school buses equipped with the Ford 6.8L V10 engines. The hydraulic brake lines or transmission shifter cable may have been improperly routed, causing the brake line to be exposed to excessive heat, and leak hydraulic brake fluid. Additionally, the transmission shifter cable could contact the gasoline fuel supply line to the engine which may result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A hydraulic brake fluid leak or a fuel line failure can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket which will insulate the brake lines from excessive heat, control routing of the brake lines, and secure the transmission shifter cable away from the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZV-SB.

Recall 18V-885: Power Train, Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 12, 2018 · 32 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Blue Bird Vision transit buses equipped with the Ford 6.8L V10 engines. The hydraulic brake lines or transmission shifter cable may have been improperly routed, causing the brake line to be exposed to excessive heat, and leak hydraulic brake fluid. Additionally, the transmission shifter cable could contact the gasoline fuel supply line to the engine which may result in a fuel leak.

Risk: A hydraulic brake fluid leak or a fuel line failure can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket which will insulate the brake lines from excessive heat, control routing of the brake lines, and secure the transmission shifter cable away from the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZV-NSB.

Recall 17V-510: Seats

Reported Aug 17, 2017 · 309 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2019 Vision and model year 2016 All American school buses equipped with certain QS11 series convertible school bus seats supplied by CE White/HSM Solutions. The integral D-Ring mounting stud located in the upper area of the seat back frame does not provide an adequate padding surface between the seat occupant and the D-Ring mounting stud.

Risk: In a rear crash event, the occupant's head may contact the D-Ring mounting stud, resulting in a head injury or even death.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will equip the Integra D-Ring mounting studs with the proper padding, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17ZB-SB.

Recall 17V-202: Seats, Seat Belts

Reported Mar 23, 2017 · 92 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016 Vision and All American school buses, equipped with certain QS11, QSCR11, QSJ11, and Davenport school bus seats that include three-point lap/shoulder seat belts. These seats may have a loose or missing D-ring mounting nut, allowing the shoulder belt D-ring to detach in a crash.

Risk: A loose or missing shoulder belt D-ring may prevent the seat belt from adequately restraining the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and personnel from the school bus seat manufacturer will inspect and repair the affected seats, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird Campaigns Administration at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YZ (SB).

Recall 17V-100: Structure

Reported Feb 15, 2017 · 19,833 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Vision school buses manufactured February 19, 2014, through March 3, 2017, equipped with a frame mounted battery box. The support brackets for these battery boxes may crack causing the battery box to separate from the chassis.

Risk: If the battery box detaches, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YY-SB.

Recall 17V-101: Structure

Reported Feb 15, 2017 · 263 vehicles affected · Blue Bird Body Company

Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Vision transit buses equipped with frame mounted battery boxes. The support brackets for these battery boxes may crack causing the battery box to separate from the chassis.

Risk: If the battery box detaches, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YY-NSB.

Older recalls

RecallDateComponentSummary
16V-542Jul 19, 2016Fuel System, OtherBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Vision school buses manufactured July 3, 2014, to June 24, 2016, equipped with 6.8L Ford engines and Gen 3 propane units.
16V-543Jul 19, 2016Fuel System, OtherBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Vision transit buses manufactured September 24, 2015, to May 21, 2016, equipped with 6.8L Ford engines and Gen 3 propane units.
16V-405Jun 6, 2016EquipmentBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 All American transit buses manufactured from November 13, 2014, through May 4, 2016, and 2016-2017 Vision transit buses manufactured from May…
16V-006Jan 8, 2016OtherBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 All American school buses manufactured May 18, 2015, to November 9, 2015, and Vision school buses manufactured May 8, 2015, to October 27…
15V-696Oct 23, 2015Visibility/WiperBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling one 2017 Vision transit bus.
15V-691Oct 23, 2015Visibility/WiperBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Vision school buses manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 18, 2015.
15V-591Sep 23, 2015Electrical System, Engine and Engine CoolingBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016 Vision school buses manufactured on August 16, 2015.
15V-277May 12, 2015SeatsBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016 Vision and All American rear engine school buses manufactured February 11, 2015, to April 2, 2015.
15V-180Mar 27, 2015Electrical SystemBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision non-school transit buses manufactured June 19, 2014, to December 11, 2014.
15V-181Mar 27, 2015Electrical SystemBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision school buses manufactured June 19, 2014, to December 11, 2014.
15V-136Mar 10, 2015Seat BeltsBlue 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…
14V-798Dec 17, 2014Parking BrakeBlue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision and All American school buses manufactured July 8, 2014, to September 22, 2014.

2016 Blue Bird Vision problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes1
Engine1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 120,186 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 2016 Blue Bird Vision complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · at 120,186 miles · reported Feb 27, 2020
School bus driver reported an oil leak at the rear of the left side valve cover. I inspected the bus and saw a lot of oil on the frame area on the left side engine area. Checked the valve cover bolts for tightness and found the bolts to be tight. At the rear of this valve cover the area is very tight and there are hoses and wires ran between the valve cover and the firewall. I was able to physically move these and feel around the area and discovered that a hole has been rubbed completelt through the firewall, this is where the oil is coming from. Am not able to take clear pictures because of…
Service Brakes · at 30,000 miles · reported Jul 11, 2018
Failure of the proportioning valve which is causing premature brake pad wear on the rear. The vehicle has air disc brakes. We have several in our fleet that has this issue. We brought the bus in for service and upon inspecting the brakes we discovered the issue. We have contacted the company we purchased the buses from and I was told they knew there was an issue and they had a fix but it would cost us $250. My question is who approved the fix and where can I find it in writing. They are not replacing the valve, they are putting on a quick release valve in the rear.

Other Blue Bird Vision years

Compare all Blue Bird Vision years · All Blue Bird models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Blue Bird Vision have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 27 recalls for the 2016 Blue Bird Vision: 22V-736 (fuel system, other), 20V-234 (parking brake), 20V-235 (parking brake), 20V-125 (seats), 19V-796 (exterior lighting) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Blue Bird Vision?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (1 reports), followed by engine (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 120,186 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.