Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Blue Bird ALL American, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
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."
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."
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses. The clamps that secure the stacked stretchers may fail from repeated use or from high loads.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 All American school buses manufactured from August 20, 2010, through December 16, 2015. Buses with rear side emergency doors have seats over the wheelhouse area whose rear legs may detach from the floor in a crash, resulting in belted occupants traveling forward. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
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.
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.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine non school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured December 7, 2008, to May 11, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
Blue 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 buses manufactured June 9, 2012, to September 30, 2014. Incorrect fasteners may have been used to secure the seat gusset reinforcement to the side wall resulting in the seat belts being improperly anchored. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine transit buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected transit buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 All American rear engine school buses manufactured June 5, 2010, to January 13, 2015. In the affected school buses, the exhaust system hangers may fail, possibly causing damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) housings.
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.
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.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 All American rear engine school buses manufactured July 21, 2011 to April 30, 2014, and equipped with CNG fuel systems and delivered to or registered in the following "Cold Weather" states: Colorado, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming. In the affected vehicles, an O-ring in the pressure relief device for the compressed natural gas (CNG) system may fail at cold temperatures resulting in a natural gas leak.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 All American rear engine non-school buses manufactured May 9, 2007, to November 12, 2012. Due to the design of the thermostat, a heater hose may rupture which could result in hot coolant entering the passenger compartment.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 All American rear engine school buses manufactured April 3, 2007, to December 15, 2012. Due to the design of the thermostat, a heater hose may rupture which could result in hot coolant entering the passenger compartment.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American school buses manufactured August 20, 2011, through May 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2015 All American transit buses manufactured September 1, 2011 through May 16, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a clamp on the steering shaft may come in contact with the rubber boot at the floor.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 All American rear engine non-school buses manufactured from June 23, 2010, through May 24, 2012, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G compressed natural gas engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009-2015 All American rear engine school buses manufactured from December 8, 2008, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
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."
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").
Blue Bird is recalling model year 2013 All American and Vision school buses manufactured from April 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012. Driver's seat belts may have been inadvertently installed with mismatched buckles which fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." The latch plate (tongue) on one style buckle may mate up to another style buckle receiver, but the latch plate may not be properly engaged.
Blue Bird is recalling model year 2013 All American and Vision non-school buses manufactured from April 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012. Driver's seat belts may have been inadvertently installed with mismatched buckles. The latch plate (tongue) on one style buckle may mate up to another style buckle receiver but the latch plate may not be properly engaged. Therefore, they fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES AND ONE AFTERMARKET BRAKE TREADLE VALVE. THE AFFECTED BUSES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 9, 2012. THE BRAKE VALVE PLUNGER MAY FRACTURE DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE PEDAL ANGLE AND TRAVEL. THIS CONDITION MAY LIMIT THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO DELIVER FULL PRESSURE FROM THE FOOT BRAKE VALVE. THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL THAT THE BRAKE PLUNGER COULD BECOME LODGED AND NOT ALLOW RELEASE OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.
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."
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."
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Blue Bird told its dealers about the 2013 Blue Bird ALL American: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10201696 | SM1905: Blue Bird Vantage Dash Fault Codes Website Blue Bird Vantage "Dash Fault Codes" website page has been updated to include additional new fault codes for all applicable system types (brake, engine, and transmission). Also, "Powertrain, Ford" has been added to the drop-down tab as a system type selection. "Powertrain Ford" system type is used to identify both Ford engine and transmission fault codes. |
| 10201695 | SM1904: New Ametek Parts & Software New Ametek instrument cluster part numbers and software now listed on the Blue Bird Dealer Vantage website. Also listed is a new Ametek gateway module and applicable software. New Ametek gateway module is only applicable to the Ford Gasoline Vision. Revisions have been made to Ametek instrument cluster software that improve or addresses items noted below. Improved fuel level dampening (only affects diesel fuel systems) Average fuel economy not displaying accurately (only affects diesel fuel systems) High or fast idle set up process on service part re |
| 10201694 | Models Affected: 2010 thru 2021 All American Subject: This update provides information on the new surge tank fill necks for All American Instructions: There is a new kit available from Part Sales; 10066291 - Kit, Neck, Surge Tank. This kit is available for use with the All American & TX4 surge tanks. Remove and discard existing neck from tank Install new neck using items in Kit 10066291 Kit, Neck, Surge Tank |
| 10128907 | New Blue Bird Support Center - Technical Bus Support: Dealer memo to announce the new on-line Blue Bird Support Center for technical bus support requests. |
| 10128903 | Gen 4 Analog DEF Level Sensor Troubleshooting: Original Date of Issue: February 25, 2013 Revision: July 5, 2016 The Service Memorandum updates the model year range, engine models affected, and includes Tank Assembly information. |
| 10128898 | Service Bulletin: Rear Engine Exhaust Cables: Certain 2011 through 2017 model year Blue Bird All American Rear Engine school and non-school buses manufactured from June 5, 2010 through December 8, 2015, and equipped with optional Cummins diesel engines may experience failure of the 5.50? rear engine exhaust support cables. Instructions are provided for Service Bulletin S16YJ, Rear Engine Exhaust Cables. |
| 10128591 | ACTIA Instrument Cluster Replacement: Instructions for ACTIA Instrument Cluster Replacement features. |
| 10128588 | Blue Bird Troubleshooting Guides: Blue Bird announcement of the addition of troubleshooting guides for assisting in the service of the Blue Bird products. These troubleshooting guides are available on the Vantage website. |
| 10116463 | The intent of SU1702 is to provide service part replacement instructions for our new Ametek instrument cluster. The new cluster will be in full production beginning June 5, 2017. During the time between now and June 5, 2017 Blue Bird will be building some pilot units with the new cluster. Until full implementation Feature 40280 -14 will be added to pilot units. The new Ametek instrument clusters will also be used as a direct service part replacement for older Actia instrument clusters. |
| 10058965 | BLUE BIRD: CORRECT INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR THE FRONT HUB TORQUE SPECIFICATION, NOT FOUND IN MANUALS FOR CERTAIN BUSES FOR HUB AND ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND FRONT INSTALLATION. MODEL 2005-14 VISION, ALL-AMERICAN AND ACTIVITY. *PE |
| 10056915 | BLUE BIRD: THE STANDARD PEDESTAL DRIVERS SEAT COULD WEAKEN IF EXPOSED TO EXTREME INPUT LOADS FROM HARSH ROAD CONDITIONS. *LJ |
| 10056618 | BLUE BIRD: WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED, POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH BATTERY COMPARTMENT DOOR REINFORCEMENT AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS IS PROVIDED. MODEL 2010-2015 ALL AMERICAN. *PE |
| 10055921 | BLUE BIRD BUS: ON SOME BUSES, THE JB RADIATORS ARE LEAKING AND TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, ALL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH JB RADIATORS WILL BE INSPECTED AND/OR REPLACED, IF NEEDED, IF LEAK IS DETECTED. *PE |
| 10054690 | BLUE BIRD (CUMMINS): UPDATED INFORMATION BEING PROVIDED REGARDING THE FLEETGUARD FLEETCOOL EX COOLANT TO BE USED IN BLUE BIRD BUSES WITH CUMMINS ENGINE AND DECALS ON OR NEAR DEAERATION TANK FILLER TO STATE THE TYPE OF COOLANT FACTORY HAD INSTALLED. MODEL VISION, ALL AMERICAN. NO YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10054131 | BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE REAR ENGINE RADIATOR SURGE TANK WILL CRACK AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITH A NEW SURGE TANK, IF CRACKS ARE DETECTED. MODEL 2011-2013 A3. *PE |
| 10053689 | BLUE BIRD: THE TRACK MOUNTED SEATING DECAL INSTRUCTIONS, ON SOME BUSES, MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, INCORRECTLY. MODELS 2012-2014 ALL AMERICAN, VISION. *PE |
| 10052492 | BLUE BIRD: A NEW BRACKET DESIGN TO AID IN PREVENTION OF WATER DAMAGE TO NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) ANGLE, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN MODEL OF BUSES, AND INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED FOR BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) BRACKET INSTALLATION. MODELS 2010-2014 VISION, ALL AMERICAN. *PE |
| 10052081 | BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. AT MOUNTING LOCATIONS OF REAR AIR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER, FATIGUE CRACKS MAY HAVE DEVELOPED AND WOULD NEED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF REQUIRED. MODELS 2012-2014 ALL AMERICANS, VISIONS. *PE |
| 10044287 | BLUE BIRD: PROCEDURE UPDATE INFORMATION BEING PROVIDED REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF HEATER RESISTORS ON ALL MODELS. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Engine Thermostat Heater Hose Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation