What Blue Bird Vision owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Blue Bird Vision safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Blue Bird Vision complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The VIN# is actually a 2026 Bluebird Vision bus. We have had several of our school buses from bluebird co. have thesame issue of the brake pedal activating the lights without driver's input. Which causes the engine ecm not to let the driver accelerate or keep speed the same. We have replaced brake switch multiple times and still have these issues. We have adjusted the switches and the pedal mechanism but will only last so long before problem comes back. I had the bus for the VIN# in this form cause the bus to decelerate going uphill on a trip on Interstate causing the driver to have to pull bus on shoulder and limp to top of hill multiple times before bus would move on its own power. I …
Durring inspection i observed an exhaust clip making direct contact with a brake line and it had caused some wear to the metal brake line. This vehicle is an active school bus and I found similar failures or evidence of contact on all 3 of my bluebird vision buses equipped with the 7.3 gas V8.
I am an owner of a school bus company with a major concern. After speaking with many of our local contractors with similar failures and who share the same concern, I felt it was my duty to report this. I had a Bluebird Vision break down while crossing a busy highway, fully loaded with students going home. Ford refused to honor the warranty for the transmission due to failed O-rings on the Bluebird radiator. This was an extremely scary incident for our driver and the students and then I had to pay over $9,000.00 for a repair that should've been covered under warranty.
There is an issue with the braking systems on the Bluebird buses which cause the brake lights to illuminate constantly, fail to illuminate, limit acceleration, and/or receive a "loss of brake input" warning message on the dash cluster. We have 43 Buses of like Year Models ranging from 2021 - 2022 Bluebird, Vision, that we have documented 38 separate repairs for 28 buses in our fleet related to the braking system. The brake pedal experiences excessive back travel that causes damage to the brake switch (part number 10026469). The cause of the excessive back travel is a gap between the pedal stop, rubber bumper, and switch mounting bracket. There is not enough adjustment area in the switch …
The contact's School District owns a 2012 Blue Bird Conventional School Bus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V234000 (Parking Brake). The contact stated that the recall remedy required sufficient application force for the floor-mounted parking brake at 90 - 95 pounds, which was inoperable for the bus drivers. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the recall remedy met the requirements of FMVSS Number 105 (Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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 THE SPACE CONSTRAINTS. I GOT UNDERNEATH OF THE BUS AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL HAS BEEN GETTING ONTO THE…
VEHICLE FLIPS COMPRESSOR BELTS OFF FREQUENTLY BRAKE PEDDLE SWITCH FAILS AND BENDS MOUNTING BRACKETS CAUSING BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND VEHICLE TO GO INTO DERATE MODE IN MOTION FOR BOTH. */BF.. *DT *DT*JB *TR*JB *DT*JB *DT
HEADLIGHTS HAVE A REFLECTOR OVER THE 9007 TYPE BULB THAT IS HELD ON BY AN UPPER AND LOWER SCREW. DURING INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE UPPER SCREWS OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS CAME OUT. THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING ON OUR OTHER BUS OF THIS TYPE, THAT IS VIN NUMBER LATER. NEW HEADLIGHTS OF THIS TYPE DO NOT USE THE SCREWS, BUT INSTEAD HAS A REFLECTOR THAT LOOKS LIKE IT SNAPS INTO PLACE.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Blue Bird has identified a software issue affecting the Neutral-at-Stop feature. A software update is required in-person at an authorized Allison Transmission Dealer.
The mechanical brake switch & bracket design has a potential for cumulative at-limit stack up clearances to exceed the limitations of the mechanical switch. As a result, a preventative maintenance adjustment procedure is necessary and, at times, settings can be difficult to achieve.
Suspect Population: Certain 2021 through 2026 Blue Bird BBCV buses, equipped with a 217â WB flat floor & Ford 7.3L powered engine. Condition:Chassis web fractures in or around the vicinity of the LF shock mount Root Cause Identification and Justification: ⢠FEA modeling shows elevated regions of stress in proximity of the upper fastener hole for the LH shock mount resulting from several external influences. The highest stress stemming from shock extension forces in curb hop scenarios. ⢠Bearing in mind the absence of this failure mode on standard floor chassis designs with substantially
The 7.3L radiator uses adapter nuts, if not properly sealed, exposes the opportunity for fluid migration through threads. Primary failure seen is deterioration of the EPDM gasket sealing the transmission oil cooler (TOC) to lower radiator tank, which allows a path for coolant to leak externally. Secondary failure seen is cross contamination between coolant and transmission oil. To eliminate the possibility of experiencing this condition, Blue Bird is providing 1 year of coverage to update the transmission oil cooler interface along with a visual inspection of any cross contamination at time of
SM2401: 7.3L / 6R140 Fluid Cross Contamination Issue: Coolant and Transmission Fluid Cross Contamination Corrective Action: Outline in the SM2401 Service Memorandum Instructions, per SM2401 Flowchart.
Uploading documents that will be sent out to customers to educate them about draglink maintenance.
Uploading documents that will be sent out to customers to educate them about draglink maintenance.
Revised: Coolant leaks at the transmission cooler fittings on the radiator are occurring due to deformation of the gasket used to seal off the transmission cooler. This deformation is caused from transmission oil wicking through the thread adapter threads and exposing the lower portion of the gasket to transmission oil. Re-configure hydraulic interface between the transmission cooler lines and the transmission oil cooler. SU2302 Revised to include Labor Time of 1 Hour and a Component Code. Incorrect wording on the Header Page beginning on Page 2.
Revised: Coolant leaks at the transmission cooler fittings on the radiator are occurring due to deformation of the gasket used to seal off the transmission cooler. This deformation is caused from transmission oil wicking through the thread adapter threads and exposing the lower portion of the gasket to transmission oil. Re-configure hydraulic interface between the transmission cooler lines and the transmission oil cooler. SU2302 Revised to include Labor Time of 1 Hour and a Component Code.
Coolant leaks at the transmission cooler fittings on the radiator are occurring due to deformation of the gasket used to seal off the transmission cooler. This deformation is caused from transmission oil wicking through the thread adapter threads and exposing the lower portion of the gasket to transmission oil. Re-configure hydraulic interface between the transmission cooler lines and the transmission oil cooler.
A motor high temperature error can display on the instrument cluster when the OEM coolant valve in the closed position restricting coolant flow through the high voltage propulsion motor.
SM2203: EV Recommended Starting Procedure This Service Memorandum is to announce the proper starting procedure to be followed for all Cummins EV powered units. The sequence is required due to multiple electronic modules required to wake up and start communicating over the CAN (Controller Area Network) on EV Power Train ProductâÂÂ.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On March 17, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-004 to investigate instances of drag link separation in model year (MY) 2016-2020 Vision school buses manufactured by Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird). Since drag links are serviceable items that can wear out, ODI opened this investigation to understand why two drag links separated at the steering arm end shortly after having passed a routine inspection by multiple qualified entities.Two buses used in the same rural schoo
This investigation was opened after ODI became aware of four engine compartment fires allegedly related to fuel leakage from the engine's fuel injector system.ODI conducted field examinations and communicated the identified concerns to Blue Bird.ODI also had discussions with Caterpillar, the engine manufacturer.On June 28th, 2010, Blue Bird filed two safety defect reports with NHTSA to address fuel lines that may crack at the fastening point to the common fuel rail. Safety recall campaign 10V-28
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2026, owners most often name: service brakes, electrical system, engine. 16 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.