RoadVitals

2008 Blue Bird All American

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Mar 1, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
32
Latest Apr 27, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Blue Bird All American, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and fuel system categories. 32 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Other / unspecified120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

32 campaigns cover this model year

View all 32

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V234000

PARKING BRAKE

Apr 27, 2020
2,264 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R20AO-SBView on NHTSA.gov
20V125000

SEATS:BARRIERS

Mar 3, 2020
2,790 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R20AM-SBView on NHTSA.gov
18V801000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 14, 2018
86 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the clamps fail with patients in the stretchers, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install redesigned clamps, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2018. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R18ZQ-NSB.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R18ZQ-NSBView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EQ15003ClosedInvestigation

Engine Thermostat Heater Hose Failure

Opened Mar 16, 2015
Closed Jun 24, 2015

See the attached closing report.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2017

THE FUEL LINES ON THESE ENGINES ARE HELD IN BY A PLASTIC CLIP. THE PLASTIC CLIP HAS A SHARP AREA ON THE CLIP WHICH THEN PUNCHES HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE THAT IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THERE ARE THREE LINES THAT ARE HELD IN BY THESE CLIPS. THE HOLES THEN LEAK DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS.

NHTSA ID
10957744
Incident
Feb 24, 2017
Mileage
104,947 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V510000 (EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10716411
Incident
May 14, 2015
Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2007

BUS WAS USED 14 DEC FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS WHEN WE WENT TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, IT WOULD NOT. TO GET THE ENGINE STOPPED HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERIES BEFORE ENGINE STOPPED. ALL PASSENGERS HAD BEEN UNLOADED, BUS NOW IS SCHEDULED INTO MAINTENANCE FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212055
Incident
Dec 14, 2007
Mileage
1,790 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 14, 2007

RIGHT REAR AIR LINES GOING TO BRAKE CHAMBER MELTED WHEN BUS WENT INTO REGENERATION MODE. THE BUS HAD 25 STUDENTS AND COACHES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE AIR BRAKES APPLIED AND THE BUS WAS STUCK ON THE ROAD AT THE TOP OF HILL BY A BLIND CURVE AT 7:00 PM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10211885
Incident
Nov 23, 2007
Mileage
2,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SM1905

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

SM1608

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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.

SM1601

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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.

SU-1503

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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

SB-S-10-SE

SEATS

BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME REAR ENGINE BUSES, THE CENTER LEG OF C. E. WHITE STUDENT SAFETY SEAT, MISSING THE REQUIRED MOUNTING BOLT. *PE

SB-S-10-SA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR BUSES, ENGINE COOLANT MAY LEAK, DUE TO LOW COOLANT SENSOR, FROM SURGE TANK TO ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WICK, THROUGH TO ENGINE ECM AND OTHER COMPONENTS, FROM HARNESS. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Blue Bird All American by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20192260—
20180190—
20170100—
20161200—
20153270—
20140260—
20131281—
20120301—
20110351—
20100421—
20093331—
2008Viewing4321—
20074211—
20062152—
20051131—
200410151—
20032111—
20021141—
20011141—
20000160—
19990160—
1998190—
1997030—
1996060—
19950110—
1994090—
1993071—
19921691—
1991091—
1990091—
19890102—
1988082—
1987051—
1986050—
1985030—
1984040—
1983030—
1982050—
1981040—
1980030—
1979010—
1978010—
1977020—
1976030—
1975020—
1974050—
1973040—
1972040—
1971040—
1970030—
1969040—
1968040—
1967020—
1966010—
1965010—
1964010—
1963010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.