RoadVitals

2013 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.
1
Latest Jul 8, 2016
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.
28
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2013 Blue Bird All American, most frequently naming the brakes category. 28 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 19 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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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

28 campaigns cover this model year

View all 28

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

Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2016

PLUG CORRODED ON ABS MODULE RESULTING IN POOR BRAKES. BUS WAS IN MOTION CONTACTED VEHICLE IN OPPOSING LANE(SIDE SWIPE) AND NEARLY STRUCK PARKED CAR IN EVENT. PART THAT FAILED WAS WABCO ABS MODULE ALUMINUM PLUG.

NHTSA ID
10883497
Incident
Jun 27, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SU1901

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Models Affected: 2010 thru 2021 All American Subject: This update provides information on the new surge tank fill necks for All American Instructions: There is a new kit available from Part Sales; 10066291 - Kit, Neck, Surge Tank. This kit is available for use with the All American & TX4 surge tanks. Remove and discard existing neck from tank Install new neck using items in Kit 10066291 Kit, Neck, Surge Tank

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.

SM1904

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SM1904: New Ametek Parts & Software New Ametek instrument cluster part numbers and software now listed on the Blue Bird Dealer Vantage website. Also listed is a new Ametek gateway module and applicable software. New Ametek gateway module is only applicable to the Ford Gasoline Vision. Revisions have been made to Ametek instrument cluster software that improve or addresses items noted below. Improved fuel level dampening (only affects diesel fuel systems) Average fuel economy not displaying accurately (only affects diesel fuel systems) High or fast idle set up process on service part replacements (only affects service mode set up) Park brake indicator flashes and audible beep sounds when multiplex module goes in sleep mode (only affects certain Actia to Ametek service part replacements)

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.

SM1304

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Gen 4 Analog DEF Level Sensor Troubleshooting: Original Date of Issue: February 25, 2013 Revision: July 5, 2016 The Service Memorandum updates the model year range, engine models affected, and includes Tank Assembly information.

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—
2013Viewing1281—
20120301—
20110351—
20100421—
20093331—
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.