The 2016 Blue Bird Vision has 27 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.
How the 2016 compares
Average
Fewest complaintsMost complaints
Average complaint count among 10 Vision model years — 6th most.
27recalls
2complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
120,186median 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.
Oct 4, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V736000 · 66 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford 6.8L LPG engines. The LPG supply line may be damaged from contact with the RH park brake cable, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel lines and the park brake cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22CA-SB.
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.nhtsa.gov.
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2009-2019 Vision transit 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."
Risk: A parking brake system that is set to an insufficient application force may result in an increased possibility of unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of injury to bystanders.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and adjust the application force, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AO-SB.
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.
Problem: 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."
Risk: A parking brake system that is set to an insufficient application force may result in an increased possibility of unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and correct the application force, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 24, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AO-SB.
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.
Seats
Mar 3, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V125000 · 2,790 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat barrier may not adequately protect the occupant seated behind the seat barrier separating them from the driver seat with integrated 3-point seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly install the seat barrier including adding reinforcing bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 23, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AM-SB.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Nov 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V796000 · 112 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Vision transit buses equipped with Ford engines. The brake light switch mounting bracket may have caused the brake light switch to be incorrectly adjusted at installation and/or the brake light switch mounting bracket may deform when the driver allows the brake pedal to return forcibly. An incorrectly adjusted brake light switch or deformed brake light switch mounting bracket may cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously.
Risk: Improperly functioning brake lights could confuse following motorists and fail to warn them that the bus may be stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird issued owners an interim notification December 10, 2019. Dealers will install a new, redesigned brake light switch mounting bracket along with a new brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AI-NSB.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Nov 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V795000 · 12,835 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Vision school buses equipped with Ford engines. The brake light switch mounting bracket may have caused the brake light switch to be incorrectly adjusted at installation and/or the brake light switch mounting bracket may deform when the driver allows the brake pedal to return forcibly. An incorrectly adjusted brake light switch or deformed brake light switch mounting bracket may cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously.
Risk: Improperly functioning brake lights could confuse following motorists and fail to warn them that the bus may be stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird distributed owners an interim notification on December 10, 2019. Dealers will install a new, redesigned brake light switch mounting bracket along with a new brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is S19AI-SB.
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.
Service Brakes
May 24, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V393000 · 70 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Vision and 2015-2020 All American non-school buses equipped with ADB22X disc brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.
Risk: A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increasing the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - NSB.
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.
Service Brakes
May 24, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V391000 · 4,218 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Bendix ADB22X air brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.
Risk: A dragging brake may cause damage to the brake components, which may activate the ABS warning light. The warning light may cause the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and transfer occupants. Additionally, the high temperatures at the wheel end can increase the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. Blue Bird issued owners interim notification on July 18, 2019. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AA - SB.
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.
Equipment
Feb 11, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V082000 · 787 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Ricon S-Series Titanium Wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."
Risk: If the wheelchair lift platform raises above the height of the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user could fall inwards toward the vehicle, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the wheelchair lift positioning input cam, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZP-SB.
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.
Power Train
Dec 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V885000 · 32 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Blue Bird Vision transit buses equipped with the Ford 6.8L V10 engines. The hydraulic brake lines or transmission shifter cable may have been improperly routed, causing the brake line to be exposed to excessive heat, and leak hydraulic brake fluid. Additionally, the transmission shifter cable could contact the gasoline fuel supply line to the engine which may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A hydraulic brake fluid leak or a fuel line failure can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket which will insulate the brake lines from excessive heat, control routing of the brake lines, and secure the transmission shifter cable away from the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZV-NSB.
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.
Power Train
Dec 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V884000 · 5,169 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Blue Bird Vision school buses equipped with the Ford 6.8L V10 engines. The hydraulic brake lines or transmission shifter cable may have been improperly routed, causing the brake line to be exposed to excessive heat, and leak hydraulic brake fluid. Additionally, the transmission shifter cable could contact the gasoline fuel supply line to the engine which may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A hydraulic brake fluid leak or a fuel line failure can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket which will insulate the brake lines from excessive heat, control routing of the brake lines, and secure the transmission shifter cable away from the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19ZV-SB.
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.
Seats
Aug 17, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V510000 · 309 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2019 Vision and model year 2016 All American school buses equipped with certain QS11 series convertible school bus seats supplied by CE White/HSM Solutions. The integral D-Ring mounting stud located in the upper area of the seat back frame does not provide an adequate padding surface between the seat occupant and the D-Ring mounting stud.
Risk: In a rear crash event, the occupant's head may contact the D-Ring mounting stud, resulting in a head injury or even death.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will equip the Integra D-Ring mounting studs with the proper padding, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17ZB-SB.
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.
Seat Belts
Mar 23, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V202000 · 92 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2016 Vision and All American school buses, equipped with certain QS11, QSCR11, QSJ11, and Davenport school bus seats that include three-point lap/shoulder seat belts. These seats may have a loose or missing D-ring mounting nut, allowing the shoulder belt D-ring to detach in a crash.
Risk: A loose or missing shoulder belt D-ring may prevent the seat belt from adequately restraining the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and personnel from the school bus seat manufacturer will inspect and repair the affected seats, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird Campaigns Administration at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YZ (SB).
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.
Structure
Feb 15, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V101000 · 263 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Vision transit buses equipped with frame mounted battery boxes. The support brackets for these battery boxes may crack causing the battery box to separate from the chassis.
Risk: If the battery box detaches, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YY-NSB.
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.
Structure
Feb 15, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V100000 · 19,833 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Vision school buses manufactured February 19, 2014, through March 3, 2017, equipped with a frame mounted battery box. The support brackets for these battery boxes may crack causing the battery box to separate from the chassis.
Risk: If the battery box detaches, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R17YY-SB.
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.
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Vision transit buses manufactured September 24, 2015, to May 21, 2016, equipped with 6.8L Ford engines and Gen 3 propane units. The affected vehicles have propane fuel lines that may rub or are crossed and secured together, possibly resulting in line damage and a propane fuel leak.
Risk: A propane leak In the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute any Gen 3 propane lines that are not parallel. If damaged, the fuel line(s) will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R16YT-NSB.
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.
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Vision school buses manufactured July 3, 2014, to June 24, 2016, equipped with 6.8L Ford engines and Gen 3 propane units. The affected vehicles have propane fuel lines that may rub or are crossed and secured together, possibly resulting in line damage and a propane fuel leak.
Risk: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute any Gen 3 propane lines that are not parallel. If damaged, the fuel line(s) will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R16YT-SB.
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.
Equipment
Jun 6, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V405000 · 32 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 All American transit buses manufactured from November 13, 2014, through May 4, 2016, and 2016-2017 Vision transit buses manufactured from May 30, 2015, through February 2, 2016, equipped with Ricon S-Series (S2005 and S5510) wheelchair lifts. In the affected vehicles the platform side plate on the wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
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 began on June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. The recall number for Blue Bird is R16YR-NSB.
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.
Unknown or other
Jan 8, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V006000 · 112 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 All American school buses manufactured May 18, 2015, to November 9, 2015, and Vision school buses manufactured May 8, 2015, to October 27, 2015, equipped with certain Transpec T6000, T6100, and T7000 series school bus stop arms. The affected stop arms have a reflective decal that may peel loose from the stop arm. As such, these stop arms fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 131, "School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices."
Risk: Without a reflective decal, the stop arms would have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop arm blade assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 28, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or the manufacturer of the stop arms at 1-800-951-7867. Blue Birds number for this recall is R16YK-SB.
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.
Visibility
Oct 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V696000 · 1 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling one 2017 Vision transit bus. In the affected vehicle, the windshield wiper motor harness connector may have been installed incorrectly, causing the wiper system to stop without warning.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers may decrease the driver's visibility during inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify the owner, and a dealer will inspect and repair the wiper motor connection, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YH-NSB.
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.
Visibility
Oct 23, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V691000 · 63 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Vision school buses manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper motor harness connector may have been installed incorrectly, causing the wiper system to stop without warning.
Risk: An inoperative windshield wiper may reduce the driver's visibility during inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the wiper motor connection, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YH-SB.
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.
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016 Vision school buses manufactured on August 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
Risk: An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
The affected buses have been corrected. Therefore, an owner notification letter will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service number at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number is R15YG-SB.
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.
Seats
May 12, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V277000 · 36 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016 Vision and All American rear engine school buses manufactured February 11, 2015, to April 2, 2015. The affected vehicles have seat bottoms whose foam core may not meet the flammability requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."
Risk: If the seats are built with this seat bottom foam core, the seats may not resist catching fire in the presence of an ignition source, increasing the risk that a fire may start or spread.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the school bus seat bottoms with foam that is compliant to the safety standard, free of charge. The recall began on June 9, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YD-SB.
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.
Electrical System
Mar 27, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V181000 · 2,663 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision school buses manufactured June 19, 2014, to December 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the voltage inverter for the illumination of the driver's heater control panel may fail.
Risk: An inverter failure may produce smoke and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter with an inverter from an alternate vendor, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YA-SB.
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.
Electrical System
Mar 27, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V180000 · 23 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision non-school transit buses manufactured June 19, 2014, to December 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the voltage inverter for the illumination of the driver's heater control panel may fail.
Risk: An inverter failure may produce smoke and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter with an inverter from an alternate vendor, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YA-NSB.
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.
Seat Belts
Mar 10, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V136000 · 1,344 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: If the seat belts are improperly anchored, there is an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the the seat gusset reinforcement mounting fasteners, and will install an additional gusset reinforcement bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Birds number for this recall is R15YC-SB.
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.
Parking Brake
Dec 17, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V798000 · 304 vehicles
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Vision and All American school buses manufactured July 8, 2014, to September 22, 2014. These buses, equipped with hydraulic brakes, may have an incorrectly manufactured parking brake pedal assembly which could separate and bend causing the parking brake not to engage properly.
Risk: If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy & notes
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the date code on the parking brake pedal assembly and will replace the assembly if it is within that date range, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R14XR.
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.
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Blue Bird Draglink Failures
PE23004 · opened Mar 17, 2023 · closed Feb 28, 2024
Summary
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 school district, owned and maintained by different bus contractors, had both undergone similar annual and semi-annual inspections prior to the start of the school year.Both failed within a week of each other, approximately a month into the school year. ODI interviewed the bus contractors and surveyed the industry to learn what inspection methods were being used and which ones were best at detecting wear in the components.ODI learned that the failed buses had not been inspected using the most thorough methods. ODI collected the drag links from each of the failed buses. Assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement Division and using best practice inspection methods, ODI identified and collected a pre-separation drag link from a neighboring school district. Â The drag links underwent a teardown inspection at the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) jointly with Blue Bird and THK-Rhythm Automotive, the drag link manufacturer.In all cases, the visual analysis of each dr…
2016 vs. other Blue Bird Vision years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2016. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2016 Blue Bird Vision have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns covering the 2016 Blue Bird Vision, the latest from Oct 4, 2022 (fuel system). 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 2016 Blue Bird Vision?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model