Blue Bird Conventional Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 31 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints across 30 model years of the Blue Bird Conventional (1985–2018). The most-complained-about year is 1991.

Pick your Blue Bird Conventional model year

• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2014
• 2017
• 2018

What Blue Bird Conventional owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The 1991 model year has the most, with 7.

• Fuel/propulsion system7
• Electrical system2
• Engine2
• Structure1
• Structure: body1
• Structure: frame and members1
• Visibility: exterior1
• Latches/locks/linkages1

All Blue Bird Conventional recalls (31)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Blue Bird Conventional, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Equipment adaptive/mobility

   NHTSA 15V730000 Reported November 4, 2015 5,114 vehicles potentially affected Blue Bird Body Company

   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…

   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…

   Model years: 2007, 2008

2. Equipment adaptive/mobility

   NHTSA 14V510000 Reported August 19, 2014 5,114 vehicles potentially affected Blue Bird Body Company

   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…

   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.…

   Model years: 2007, 2008

3. Suspension: front

   NHTSA 13V543000 Reported October 31, 2013 1,747 vehicles potentially affected Blue Bird Body Company

   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…

   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…

   Model years: 2014

4. Suspension: front

   NHTSA 13V545000 Reported October 31, 2013 87 vehicles potentially affected Blue Bird Body Company

   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…

   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…

   Model years: 2014

5. Barriers (seats)

   NHTSA 11V499000 Reported October 14, 2011 54 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

   Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2012 all american, 2006 through 2011 vision, and 2006 conventional school buses manufactured between september 19, 2005, and may 3, 2011, equipped with 2-passenger seats installed forward of the 39" barrier. In the event of a crash, the barrier may make contact with the 2-passenger…

   Remedy: Blue bird will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on january 18, 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

   Model years: 2006

6. Equipment adaptive/mobility

   NHTSA 10V133000 Reported April 5, 2010 1,622 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

   Blue bird has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2011 all american, conventional, and micro bird school buses manufactured from december 13, 2007 through january 18, 2010 equipped with ricon model s or k series public use wheelchair lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift…

   Remedy: Blue bird is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The…

   Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

7. Equipment adaptive/mobility

   NHTSA 10V134000 Reported April 5, 2010 23 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

   Blue bird has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2010 all american, conventional, and micro bird transi buses manufactured from december 16, 2007 through december 21, 2009 equipped with ricon model s or k series public use wheelchair lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift…

   Remedy: Blue bird is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The…

   Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

8. Equipment adaptive/mobility

   NHTSA 10V136000 Reported April 5, 2010 569 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

   Blue bird has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2010 all american, conventional, and micro bird school buses manufactured from april 24 through november 14, 2009 equipped with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts. There is a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function. If the…

   Remedy: Blue bird will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers free of charge. Currently ricon is developing a software solution and is not available. Until the software solution is…

   Model years: 2010

9. Seats

   NHTSA 09V328000 Reported August 13, 2009 37,095 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

   Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2010 all american, vision, micro bird, and conventional school buses manufactured between january 30, 2003 and may 7, 2009. Incorrect offset leg barrier pads or 2/3 seat back pads may have been installed. Buses with incorrect pads installed fail to conform to the requirements of…

   Remedy: Blue bird will notify owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on september 18, 2009. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

   Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

10. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V395000 Reported August 12, 2008 2,503 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Blue bird is recalling 2,503 my 2006-2008 all american, conventional, and micro bird school and transit buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not…

    Remedy: Blue bird is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts (please see 07e097). The recall began on september 30, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008

11. Seats

    NHTSA 08V287000 Reported July 1, 2008 126 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Blue bird is recalling 126 my 2001 and 2002 conventional school buses manufactured between april 19 and october 21, 2001, equipped with optional flip-up seat bottom cushions. The seat bottom cushion rear retaining clips may have been omitted which fails to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 222,…

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify owners and provide a remedy free of charge. The recall began on july 10, 2008. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-422-2242.

    Model years: 2001, 2002

12. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V163000 Reported April 10, 2008 2,129 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Blue bird is recalling 2,129 my 2006-2008 all american, conventional, and micro bird school and transit buses manufactured between may 3, 2005 and february 15, 2008, equipped with ricon model 1200, 2000, and 5500 platform style wheel chair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard…

    Remedy: Blue bird is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). The recall is expected to begin on or about april 28, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1-800-322-2884 or blue bird at…

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008

13. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 07V556000 Reported December 11, 2007 451 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain 2006 and 2007 my blue bird all american, conventional, and micro bird school buses manufactured from july 16, 2005 through august 29, 2006, equipped with model 900 series wheelchair lifts manufactured by the braun corporation. The threshold warning system may not activate as designed which fails to conform to federal motor…

    Remedy: Owners will be notified by blue bird instructing them to contact braun for free repair. The recall january 16, 2008. Owners can contact either blue bird at 478-822-2242 or braun product support at 1-800-946-7513.

    Model years: 2006, 2007

14. Hoses/lines/piping/fittings (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 07V398000 Reported August 30, 2007 1,847 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain blue bird conventional school buses built with an optional firewall heater hose connector on the driver's side of the bus and manufactured from november 21, 1985, through september 14, 1993.

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify owners and repair these buses by installing a metal protective shield over the heater hoses free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2008. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

15. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V239000 Reported May 20, 2005 8,894 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain school buses originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio,…

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify its customers and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

16. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V251000 Reported May 20, 2005 3,121 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain blue bird 2002 through 2006 my all american, conventional, minibird, microbird, vision, and tc2000 school buses originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,…

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify all its customers of this campaign. For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, blue bird is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

17. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 05V074000 Reported March 1, 2005 416 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain 2002-2006 my blue bird all american school and transit buses, conventional school buses, and commercial series transit buses manufactured between december 21, 2002, and february 24, 2005. These buses are equipped with webasto coolant heaters, model dbw 2010, assembled with webasto burner tubes, p/n 303046/26533a manufactured…

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify its customers and replace the burner tubes free of charge. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

18. Markings (tires)

    NHTSA 05V036000 Reported February 3, 2005 1,300 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain my 2003 thru 2005 blue bird micro bird and conventional school buses. These buses do not have the tire load range on both the tire information label and certification decal as required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars.

    Remedy: Blue bird will mail to final stage manufacturers, certification decals with the tire load rating indicated to its customers. The recall began on may 6, 2005. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005

19. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 04V426000 Reported August 30, 2004 372 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain blue bird 1999-2005 all american, tc/2000, micro bird, vision, conventional, and commercial series school buses equipped with sure-loc wheelchair securement systems and manufactured between february 17, 1999, and august 13, 2004. Certain sure-lok wheelchair tie-down securement assemblies p/n 8625-13. The sprocket teeth of the…

    Remedy: Blue bird will notify its customers and replace the defective part free of charge. The recall began september 21, 2004. Owners who take their buses to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

20. Seats

    NHTSA 03V364000 Reported October 8, 2003 3,825 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    On certain school buses equipped with optional seat belts or seat belt "ready" seats, some belts were installed with only two bolts rather than the required three (3) bolts.

    Remedy: Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to install the missing bolt free of charge. Owner notification is expected to on november 3, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to…

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

21. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 02V160002 Reported September 5, 2002 58 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    On certain school and transit buses equipped with passenger seat belts with retractors, the cover halves for the retractable portion of the belt can separate completely and release the seat belt connector. If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable.…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided a snap-on "over-cover" to prevent the seat belt cover from separating. Owner notification is expected to begin on or about september 27, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a…

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002

22. Seats

    NHTSA 02V155000 Reported June 13, 2002 39 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Certain school buses equipped with optional high back seats with 9" split sash, pushout windows fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release." the affected units have seats located incorrectly with respect to the pushout window openings.

    Remedy: Dealers will relocate the seats and pushout windows. Owner notification began july 24, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…

    Model years: 2001, 2002

23. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 01V337000 Reported October 18, 2001 158 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Vehicle description: school buses equipped with option 2836-02 driver's seat belts. The seat belts are too long preventing the belt from retracting properly and fitting the occupant as designed.

    Remedy: The belts will be replaced with belts of proper shoulder harness length. Owner notification began november 15, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Model years: 2000, 2001

24. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 00V219000 Reported August 17, 2000 25,839 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Vehicle description: school buses. These buses fail to meet the 60 percent joint strength requirements of FMVSS no. 221, "school bus body joint strength."

    Remedy: Owners will be contacted and advised to inspect each roof joint. Owners will install repair rivets in each joint found to have insufficient quantity of rivets in each examined 8 inch section.

    Model years: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

25. Seats

    NHTSA 99V018000 Reported June 15, 1999 41,260 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Vehicle description: school buses. The wall side attaching bolts for some of the passenger seats may have been installed too close to the edge of the seat ledge and in the wrong attaching hole resulting in weakening of the seat ledge at the attachment points.

    Remedy: Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to strengthen the passenger seat attachment at the wall side.

    Model years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

26. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 99V031000 Reported February 10, 1999 2,261 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Vehicle description: school and transit buses mounted on chassis equipped with an option for three batteries. The battery cables may not have been routed properly allowing the cable to be chafed or pinched.

    Remedy: Dealers will plug the hole in the back of the battery compartment that is located directly behind the battery hold down clamp. A new hole will be added directly below the rearmost battery cable hole and the positive…

    Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

27. Exterior (visibility)

    NHTSA 99V017000 Reported January 29, 1999 15 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Vehicle description: school buses mounted on navistar chassis. The standard cross view mirror assemblies installed on these buses do not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 111, "rearview mirrors."

    Remedy: Blue bird will furnish to distributors and owners, parts and instructions necessary to modify the cross view mirror assemblies.

    Model years: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

28. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V073000 Reported May 3, 1996 18,000 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the forward handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

    Remedy: Owners will be directed to remove all forward handrails. Provisions will be made for those owners operating in states which mandate a forward handrail that a replacement handrail will be provided.

    Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

29. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 93V080000 Reported May 17, 1993 1,932 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    A weld in the door lock assembly used on rear and/or side emergency doors can be overstressed and break. When this occurs, a closed door cannot be opened, or if open it cannot be latched.

    Remedy: Replace the defective door locks.

    Model years: 1991

30. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 92V184000 Reported December 24, 1992 912 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    The electric vandal lock center plunger can tap the control lock pin, of the outward opening door, which causes the door lock to become disengaged.

    Remedy: Modify the vandal door locks with blue bird supplied kits.

    Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

31. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 92V156000 Reported October 19, 1992 4,385 vehicles potentially affected BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

    Safety belt retractor locks up with the belt in the stowed position.

    Remedy: Modification kits will be shipped directly to the owner for modification of the safety belt retractor.

    Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992

Other Blue Bird models

• All American52 complaints
• TC200038 complaints
• School Bus33 complaints
• Vision23 complaints
• Blue Bird13 complaints
• Wanderlodge M450 Lxi9 complaints
• All American School Bus8 complaints
• Buses8 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.