RoadVitals

2019 Blue Bird Bbcv

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.
2
Latest Apr 10, 2023
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.
1
Latest Nov 6, 2018
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.
0
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Blue Bird Bbcv, most frequently naming the interior & seats category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 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 & seats2100.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
18V784000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Nov 6, 2018
52 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Blue Bird BBCV transit buses with Ford 6.8L Gen IV LPG, Gasoline, or CNG engines. The alternator cables may not be routed correctly and may contact and chafe against the air conditioning support bracket or a firewall reinforcement.
The risk: A damaged alternator cable could result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will verify that the air conditioning bracket and the alternator cables are properly installed, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R18ZO-NSB.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R18ZO - NSBView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Apr 10, 2023

Two student seat backs failed in multiple locations. The seat back structures also had welds that did not penetrate and failed and and the metal mesh that forms the seat back broke into pieces. A complaint of a student feeling something poking him led me to investigate the seats and find the failures in two of the seats in the bus. The student safety was put at risk. In the event of an accident a student could have been injured due to the overall structural failure of the seat back. I have contacted the local Blue Bird Dealer and requested a factory representative review the seat. I have owned this vehicle since new and it has not been involved in an accident.

NHTSA ID
11516250
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 10, 2023

The student seat back failed in multiple locations. On the main frame of the seat welds failed and the seat frame broke. The seat back structure also had weld failures and and the metal mesh that forms the seat back broke into pieces. The student safety was put at risk. In the event of an accident a student could have been impaled in the broken seat frame or injured due to the overall structural failure of the seat back. I have contacted the local Blue Bird Dealer and requested a factory representative review the seat. I have owned this vehicle since new and it has not been involved in an accident.

NHTSA ID
11516241
Incident
Apr 5, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

S19AK

SEATS

Attention HSM Customer: HSM Transportation & Specialty Manufacturing Company (HSM) has reviewed reports of school bus seat foam separation occurring at the adhesive seam along the seat back. HSM will continue addressing these occurrences through the normal warranty process. HSM has also developed an alternative solution to complete seat back foam replacement. A Voluntary Technical Service Bulletin and related parts are being made available for order now at no cost. The repair kit is available as #KIT-118 and a single kit includes enough materials to repair (4) seats. HSM will cover shipping and handling costs and ship directly to a customer's indicated address. We ask that any claimed chargebacks from Dealerships and Distributors be submitted directly to HSM Quality. Installation labor to perform these repairs is defined at 15.5 minutes per seat, following documented instruction INS-196, at a labor rate of $45 an hour. HSM has determined all school bus seats utilizing HSM foam inside the seat back and manufactured from January 2017 to August 2019 may require attention. If there is a performance question, please contact HSM or your original equipment manufacturer. Sincerely, Christopher L. Murphy Director of Quality Assurance E: [email protected] P: 479-646-6161 ext 348

SU1701

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Ford Valve Cover Inspection for Hose Routing

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 Bbcv by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2021000—
2020000—
2019Viewing210—
2018010—
2017010—
2015100—
2011000—
2010000—
2009000—
2008000—
2007100—
2006000—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—

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.