Blue Bird CONVENTIONAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
31 distinct recall campaigns
23,307 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 2018 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 14 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 50.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 7 |
2010: 3; 2015: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2023: 7
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11515414 · 2023-04-04 (April 4, 2023)
* Propane Barrier Tank Bracket cracks at fastener locations * Michigan State Police Identified as a violation *Any fuel tank impact protection cage that fails to comply with FMVSS301 * Inspected by Michigan State Police, OEM Bus dealer *No warning, found on safety inspection
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515422 · 2023-04-04 (April 4, 2023)
* Propane Barrier Tank Bracket cracks at fastener locations * Michigan State Police Identified as a violation *Any fuel tank impact protection cage that fails to comply with FMVSS301 * Inspected by Michigan State Police, OEM Bus dealer *No warning, found on safety inspection Repaired by dealer cracked 2nd time 3-20-23 @ 37,524
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066619 · 2018-02-02 (February 2, 2018)
ON 12.05.17 THE INVOLVED BLUE BIRD SCHOOL BUS EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT AND DESPITE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SLOW THE BUS BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, GEAR 1 THEN GEAR 2 AND POSSIBLY OTHER EFFORTS (WE HAVE VIDEO DEMONSTRATING THIS), THE BUS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL COMING TO REST FOLLOWING IMPACT WITH A DITCH AND TREE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF A 5 YEAR OLD PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON A COUNTY DIRT ROAD. *TR *BF *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,307 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252923 · 2019-09-03 (September 3, 2019)
REAR BRAKE WEAR EXCESSIVE THIS SCHOOL BUS REQUIRES REAR BRAKES EVERY 5000 MILES AND AT TIMES EVEN LESS HAVING BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BLUE BIRD AND GETTING NO FACTORY HELP ITS TIME TO SEEK HELP
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252923 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
2002: 7; 2003: 6; 2004: 7; 2005: 5; 2006: 8; 2007: 6; 2008: 7; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2014: 2; 2017: 0; 2018: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1986 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1988 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 1989 | 0 | 4 | +1 |
| 1990 | 0 | 5 | +1 |
| 1991 | 7 | 6 | +1 |
| 1992 | 0 | 5 | -1 |
| 1993 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 4 | -1 |
| 1995 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 5 | +1 |
| 1997 | 0 | 4 | -1 |
| 1998 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 2001 | 0 | 6 | +4 |
| 2002 | 0 | 7 | +1 |
| 2003 | 1 | 6 | -1 |
| 2004 | 0 | 7 | +1 |
| 2005 | 0 | 5 | -2 |
| 2006 | 0 | 8 | +3 |
| 2007 | 0 | 6 | -2 |
| 2008 | 1 | 7 | +1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 | -5 |
| 2010 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 2014 | 0 | 2 | Not available |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 |