2005 Blue Bird All American recalls and problems

The 2005 Blue Bird All American has 13 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is steering.

How the 2005 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 13 All American model years — 11th most.

13recalls

1complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

2,952median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

13 recalls

Seats

Aug 13, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V328000 · 37,095 vehicles

Problem: 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 federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

Original NHTSA wording

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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant(s).

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT(S).

Remedy & notes

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.

Blue Bird's recall campaign number is R09PM.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Electrical System

Jun 9, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V205000 · 2,203 vehicles

Problem: Blue Bird is recalling 2,203 model year 2003 through 2010 all american rear engine school buses equipped with optional plug style vandal locks manufactured from July 16, 2003 through April 10, 2009. The plug style vandal lock is not wired to inhibit the starter at the ignition switch when the vandal lock is in the locked position. These buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."

Original NHTSA wording

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,203 MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 16, 2003 THROUGH APRIL 10, 2009. THE PLUG STYLE VANDAL LOCK IS NOT WIRED TO INHIBIT THE STARTER AT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VANDAL LOCK IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Risk: The vehicles can be started and driven even when an owner May think they cannot.

Original NHTSA wording

THE VEHICLES CAN BE STARTED AND DRIVEN EVEN WHEN AN OWNER MAY THINK THEY CANNOT.

Remedy & notes

Blue Bird will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on June 25, 2009. Owner May contact Blue Bird at 1-478-422-2242.

Blue Bird's recall campaign no. R09pe.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Structure

May 20, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V229000 · 23,464 vehicles

Problem: Blue Bird is recalling 23,464 my 2005 through 2009 all american and vision school and transit model buses manufactured from January 22, 2004, and March 28, 2008, and my 2004 through 2007 all american school buses and conventional model school buses manufactured from March 6, 2003, through June 16, 2006. The rivet pattern May be incorrect in sections of the rear roof sheet joint that attaches to the rear roof cap. Without the appropriate amount of roof rivets, the buses fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 221, "joint strength."

Original NHTSA wording

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 23,464 MY 2005 THROUGH 2009 ALL AMERICAN AND VISION SCHOOL AND TRANSIT MODEL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 22, 2004, AND MARCH 28, 2008, AND MY 2004 THROUGH 2007 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES AND CONVENTIONAL MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 6, 2003, THROUGH JUNE 16, 2006. THE RIVET PATTERN MAY BE INCORRECT IN SECTIONS OF THE REAR ROOF SHEET JOINT THAT ATTACHES TO THE REAR ROOF CAP. WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF ROOF RIVETS, THE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 221, "JOINT STRENGTH."

Risk: In the event of a crash, these panels May separate exposing the occupants to increased risk of injury.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THESE PANELS MAY SEPARATE EXPOSING THE OCCUPANTS TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Blue Bird will notify owners and inspect and repair the buses by adding additional rivets. The recall began on September 18, 2008. Owners May contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Blue Bird recall no. R08nc.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Feb 21, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V077000 · 607 vehicles

Problem: Blue Bird is recalling 607 my 2004-2007 all american rear engine school buses and my 2006-2007 xcel 102 commercial series transit buses equipped with cummins isc engines. The high pressure fuel line May crack, allowing high pressure diesel fuel into the engine compartment.

Original NHTSA wording

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 607 MY 2004-2007 ALL AMERICAN REAR ENGINE SCHOOL BUSES AND MY 2006-2007 XCEL 102 COMMERCIAL SERIES TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISC ENGINES. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE MAY CRACK, ALLOWING HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Risk: This condition creates the potential for a risk of fire in the engine compartment should the atomized diesel fuel vapor contact an ignition source.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR A RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SHOULD THE ATOMIZED DIESEL FUEL VAPOR CONTACT AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy & notes

Owners will be advised to contact their cummins dealers to have the repair work performed as soon as possible. The recall began on February 28, 2008. Owners May contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Blue Bird recall no. R08mz.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Aug 31, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V382000 · 5,863 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2001 through 2006 my Blue Bird all american, TC2000, and vision transit school buses manufactured between January 5, 2001, and July 15, 2005. These buses are equipped with a battery disconnect switch that has connections that May be loose on the battery switch studs creating the potential for the bus to shut down while in operation.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2006 MY BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, TC2000, AND VISION TRANSIT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 5, 2001, AND JULY 15, 2005. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH THAT HAS CONNECTIONS THAT MAY BE LOOSE ON THE BATTERY SWITCH STUDS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE BUS TO SHUT DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION.

Risk: Should the bus shut down while in operation, a vehicle crash could occur.

Original NHTSA wording

SHOULD THE BUS SHUT DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy & notes

Blue Bird will notify its owners and instruct them on how to repair the switch. The recall began on October 19 , 2005. Owners May contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Blue Bird recall no. R05ka.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Unknown or other

May 20, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V251000 · 3,121 vehicles

Problem: 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, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the sign in the open and closed positions May malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.

Original NHTSA wording

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, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Risk: Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian May be endangered by passing motorists should the motorist not stop at the correct location.

Original NHTSA wording

SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING MOTORISTS SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy & notes

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 operated in the warmer states, Blue Bird will replace the switch upon owner request. For those customers who request the remedy, Blue Bird will 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. The safety improvement campaign began on August 12, 2005. Owners May contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Blue Bird campaign no. R05jw.this action is deemed a safety improvement campaign and is not being conducted under the safety act.customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Unknown or other

May 20, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V239000 · 8,894 vehicles

Problem: 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions May malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.

Original NHTSA wording

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, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Risk: Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian May be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.

Original NHTSA wording

SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy & notes

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 of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2005. Owners May contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Speed Control

Apr 7, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V152000 · 486 vehicles

Problem: Certain 2001 through 2005 all american, commercial series, and q-bus school and transit buses equipped with john deere 8.1 CNG engines. The subject buses equipped with the john deere engines May surge inappropriately due to erractic operation of the air throttle if the engine is taken from full to zero load.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2005 ALL AMERICAN, COMMERCIAL SERIES, AND Q-BUS SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH JOHN DEERE 8.1 CNG ENGINES. THE SUBJECT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THE JOHN DEERE ENGINES MAY SURGE INAPPROPRIATELY DUE TO ERRACTIC OPERATION OF THE AIR THROTTLE IF THE ENGINE IS TAKEN FROM FULL TO ZERO LOAD.

Risk: Unexpected engine surge could result in a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury.

Original NHTSA wording

UNEXPECTED ENGINE SURGE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy & notes

John deere will notify Blue Bird's customers and repair the engines free of charge. Customers are being instructed to contact john deere at 1-800-JD-ENGINE.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Mar 1, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V074000 · 416 vehicles

Problem: 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 between November 2002 and February 2005. The stainless steel burner tube is made out of a material that is not to specification and could fail prematurely.

Original NHTSA wording

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 BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND FEBRUARY 2005. THE STAINLESS STEEL BURNER TUBE IS MADE OUT OF A MATERIAL THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.

Risk: Should the burner tube fail, the coolant heater could overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

SHOULD THE BURNER TUBE FAIL, THE COOLANT HEATER COULD OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Free of charge.the recall began on March 7, 2005.owners May contact pro air at 574-970-0744.

Equipment

Aug 30, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V426000 · 372 vehicles

Problem: 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 retractor assembly May be out of alignment causing the load pawl not to fully seat in the sprocket teeth.

Original NHTSA wording

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 RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE LOAD PAWL NOT TO FULLY SEAT IN THE SPROCKET TEETH.

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair May not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy & notes

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 receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact at Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Structure

Jul 22, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V362000 · 233 vehicles

Problem: Certain my 2005 Blue Bird all american model school buses manufactured from May 24 through July 12, 2004. These buses fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no 221, school bus body joint strength. The rivet pattern May be incorrect in sections of the rear roof sheet joint that attaches to the rear roof cap.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MY 2005 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 24 THROUGH JULY 12, 2004. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE RIVET PATTERN MAY BE INCORRECT IN SECTIONS OF THE REAR ROOF SHEET JOINT THAT ATTACHES TO THE REAR ROOF CAP.

Risk: In the event of a crash, these panels could separate, exposing vehicle occupants to increased risk of injury.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THESE PANELS COULD SEPARATE, EXPOSING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy & notes

Blue Bird will notify its customers and provide instructions and parts to add additional rivets as needed. The recall began August 16, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Seat Belts

May 7, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V222000 · 291 vehicles

Problem: School and transit buses equipped with driver's 3-POINT seat belts with incorrect fasteners.

Original NHTSA wording

SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S 3-POINT SEAT BELTS WITH INCORRECT FASTENERS.

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the shoulder strap can fail, and the driver could be seriously injured.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHOULDER STRAP CAN FAIL, AND THE DRIVER COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy & notes

Blue Bird will notify its customers to make an appointment with their Blue Bird distributor to have the driver's 3-POINT seat belt upper attaching fasteners replaced free of charge. Owner notification is expected to begin June 8, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Structure

May 5, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V213000 · 297 vehicles

Problem: All american school buses manufactured between January 10 and April 20, 2004, which the inside panels adjacent to the rear center emergency door (or rear center emergency window on rear engine models) do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 221, school bus body joint strength. Adhesive was inadvertentlt omitted from these joints on the affected population.

Original NHTSA wording

ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 10 AND APRIL 20, 2004, WHICH THE INSIDE PANELS ADJACENT TO THE REAR CENTER EMERGENCY DOOR (OR REAR CENTER EMERGENCY WINDOW ON REAR ENGINE MODELS) DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. ADHESIVE WAS INADVERTENTLT OMITTED FROM THESE JOINTS ON THE AFFECTED POPULATION.

Risk: The vehicle occupants May be seriously injured in the event of a vehicle crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Owners will be notified to make an appointment with their Blue Bird distributor to have the inside rear panels removed and properly adhere the panels. Owner notification is expected to begin June 9, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 478-822-2242.

Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Steering1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

NHTSA investigations

SCHOOL BUS STALLS

PE05028 · opened May 25, 2005 · closed Sep 27, 2005 · led to recall 05V382000

Summary

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED A COMPLAINT FROM A SCHOOL BUS FLEET REPORTING THAT THREE SEPARATE BUSES HAD STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THEY WERE LOADED WITH CHILDREN.REPORTEDLY, EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE MASTER BATTERY SHUT-OFF SWITCH WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING DEFECTIVE.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION TO GATHER SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND DETAILS INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS.AS A RESULT OF ODI?S INVESTIGATION, BLUE BIRD HAS AGREED TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE STANDARD NUT ON THE 10/32 STUD WITH A LOCKING NUT, CHECK FOR PROPER WIRING INSTALLATION , AND REPOSITION THE WIRES SO THAT THEY DO NOT STRESS THE STUD.A COPY OF THE RECALL IS ATTACHED.BLUE BIRD'S ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION AND THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

2005 vs. other Blue Bird All American years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Blue Bird All American have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Blue Bird All American, the latest from Aug 13, 2009 (seats). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Blue Bird All American?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention steering (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.