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NHTSA Recall 13V579000: Buckle assembly (seat belts)

Blue Bird Body Company reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 802 vehicles. It affects 2 models including the Blue Bird All American.

802
vehicles potentially affected
2
models affected
2013
owners notified (December 17)
NHTSA campaign13V579000
Manufacturer campaignR13WS
ComponentSEAT BELTS › FRONT › BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Report receivedNovember 20, 2013
Owner notificationDecember 17, 2013
Initiated byManufacturer

Defect

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2014 and 2015 Vision and All American model school buses manufactured August 23, 2013, through November 6, 2013 and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 driver's seat belts. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, this equipment fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Safety risk

If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy

Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle, and if necessary, replace the seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number R13WS.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicles covered by recall 13V579000

Make and modelModel years
Blue Bird All American2014, 2015
Blue Bird Vision2014, 2015

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.