RoadVitals

2009 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.
3
Latest Apr 1, 2015
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.
33
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Blue Bird All American, most frequently naming the interior & seats and engine categories. 33 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 14 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

  • Interior & seats266.7%
  • Engine133.3%

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

33 campaigns cover this model year

View all 33

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

Interior & seats
Filed Apr 1, 2015

WE HAVE BLUE BIRD BUSSES WITH CE WHITE STUDENT SAFETY SEATS WITH THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BACKS HAVE STYROFOAM IN THEM FOR SOME OF THE PADDING THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BIGGER STUDENTS DON?T FIT IN THE SMALL SPACE BETWEEN SEATS AND THEIR KNEES BREAK THE STYROFOAM UP AFTER A SHORT TIME, LEAVING THE FOAM BROKE UP IN LITTLE PIECES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. I DON?T THINK THESE ARE FMVSS 222 COMPLIANT WITH THE STYROFOAM IN THE BOTTOM ONE THIRD OF THE SEAT. WE PURCHASE NEW ONES BUT THEY ARE THE SAME THING AND BREAK UP AFTER A SHORT TIME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BLUE BIRD AND CE WHITE AND SENT PICTURES. THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT AND THE SEAT IS UNDER WARRANTY FOR ONE YEAR. MY LAST CORRESPONDENCE WAS MARCH 6TH OF 2013; THEY STILL SELL THE SAME CUSHION. THERE NEEDS TO BE A DIFFERENT MATERIAL BESIDES STYROFOAM FOR THE PADDING IN THESE SEAT BACKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703081
Incident
Sep 6, 2011
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2012

2009 BLUEBIRD ALL AMERICAN RE BUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SIX BUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH THE CATERPILLAR C-7 ENGINE AND ACERT TECHNOLOGY. THE TECHNOLOGY WAS USED TO MAKE THE ENGINES COMPLY WITH THE EMISSION STANDARDS. HOWEVER, WHENEVER THE SYSTEM HAD A PROBLEM, THERE WAS REDUCED POWER FROM THE ENGINE, WHICH HAPPENED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE BUSES HAVE BEEN OUT OF SERVICE OVER 1100 DAYS. THE BUSES WOULD BE PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER AND WOULD BREAK DOWN BEFORE BEING RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL.

NHTSA ID
10485591
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 28, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOAM FROM ALL OF THE SEATS WAS COMING UNDONE FROM BEHIND THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURES OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,250. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/29/11

NHTSA ID
10372721
Incident
Dec 27, 2010
Mileage
22,250 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.

SU1702

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

The intent of SU1702 is to provide service part replacement instructions for our new Ametek instrument cluster. The new cluster will be in full production beginning June 5, 2017. During the time between now and June 5, 2017 Blue Bird will be building some pilot units with the new cluster. Until full implementation Feature 40280 -14 will be added to pilot units. The new Ametek instrument clusters will also be used as a direct service part replacement for older Actia instrument clusters.

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-SJ

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME MODEL YEAR BUSES, AN INCORRECT COMPRESSOR OIL TYPE INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN STAMPED ON BITZER A/C COMPRESSOR AIR CONDITIONER DATA PLATE. *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—
2009Viewing3331—
20084321—
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.