2023 Blue Bird VISION SCHOOL BUS: complaints, problems and recalls

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712953 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2022-02-02 (February 2, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2023 Vision school buses. The vehicle multiplex software may not engage the brakes when the wheelchair platform lift is operated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Consequence: Disengaged brakes can allow the school bus to move while the platform lift is in operation, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will install updated software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BP.

Reported: 2022-04-25 (April 25, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Vision school buses. The fuel supply line was incorrectly routed, allowing it to chafe against a bolt head, which can damage the line and create a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will reroute the fuel line, and replace the fuel line if any damage is found, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 21, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BU-SB.

Reported: 2022-04-27 (April 27, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2023 Vision school buses. The incorrect pins were installed on the air stop arm, which may cause it to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 131, "School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices."

Consequence: An inoperative stop arm increases the risk of injury during the boarding and deboarding process of the bus.

Remedy: Dealers will install a service pigtail connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 8, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BT.

Reported: 2022-05-11 (May 11, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2023 Vision school buses equipped with an Allison transmission. The starter interlock settings in the vehicle software are incorrect, allowing the engine to crank while the T-handle gear shifter is in Reverse or Drive. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect."

Consequence: A bus that is started in reverse or drive may result in unintended vehicle movement, and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall R22BW (SB).

Reported: 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Blue Bird Vision transit buses equipped with Roush fuel return lines included in GEN 4 and GEN 5 LPG Conversion Systems that were installed on vehicles sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The zinc-plating on the fuel return line may break away when contacted by road debris, causing two dissimilar metals on the fuel line to contact each other and corrode.

Consequence: A corroded fuel line can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel return lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 24, 2023. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BX-NSB.

Reported: 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Blue Bird Vision school buses equipped with Roush fuel return lines included in GEN 4 and GEN 5 LPG Conversion Systems that were installed on vehicles sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The zinc-plating on the fuel return line may break away when contacted by road debris, causing two dissimilar metals on the fuel line to contact each other and corrode.

Consequence: A corroded fuel line can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel return lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 24, 2023. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22BX-SB.

Reported: 2022-10-05 (October 5, 2022)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Vision school buses equipped with a 7.3L gasoline engine. The transmission cable may not have sufficient clearance from the gasoline fuel supply line at the left rear corner of the engine, which can result in a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reroute the transmission cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2023. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22CB (School Bus).

Reported: 2024-02-02 (February 2, 2024)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Vision school buses. Firmware in the multiplex module may cause the warning lights to deactivate and the stop arm to retract without warning.

Consequence: An unintended deactivation of the warning lights and retraction of the stop arm during use increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the multiplex firmware, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R24CX (SB).

Reported: 2024-02-07 (February 7, 2024)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Vision 2020-2023 All American school buses. The convertible seats may have been incorrectly installed, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: An unsecured seat may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 04, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R24CM-SB.

Reported: 2024-05-23 (May 23, 2024)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Vision school buses. The diesel tank that supplies the fuel fired heater was improperly designed and may leak fuel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence: A fuel leak onto the road creates a hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will repair the tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 08, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R24DA.

Reported: 2024-07-19 (July 19, 2024)

Blue Bird Bus Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Vision, All American Front Engine, and All American Rear Engine school buses. An exterior roof joint may have been manufactured with insufficient strength that can allow the roof panels to separate in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Consequence: Roof panels that separate during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof panel joints and install additional rivets as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2024-10-11 (October 11, 2024)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Vision and All American school buses. The emergency exit label operating instructions lettering is too small and may be difficult to read. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: An emergency exit label that is difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the emergency exit label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird Customer Service at 478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R23CK (SB).

Reported: 2026-07-20 (July 20, 2026)

Blue Bird Bus Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2022-2027 Vision school buses. The exhaust hanger cotter pin may contact the hydraulic brake line, damaging the line and causing a brake fluid leak.

Consequence: A brake fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, a brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the exhaust hanger cotter pin. Dealers will also inspect and replace the brake lines as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2026-08-10 (August 10, 2026)

Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2021-2024 and 2026-2027 Vision School Bus (Electric), and 2023-2027 Vision School Buses. The 12V power wire on one of the harnesses may become damaged and short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short can cause a disruption to safety functions such as a loss of rear lighting or instrument panel warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will add an in-line fuse and repair the wire harnesses as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 9, 2026. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R26AG.