RoadVitals

2021 Blue Bird Vision Transit Bus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
0
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.
13
Latest Sep 23, 2025
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 no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Blue Bird Vision Transit Bus. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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.

Safety recalls

13 campaigns 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

PARKING BRAKE:ELECTRICAL:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Sep 23, 2025
150 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Bus Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Vision school buses. The brake interlock software may unintentionally activate the parking brake at any driving speed.
The risk: A bus that stops suddenly without warning, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the brake interlock software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R25DS.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R25DSView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 11, 2024
400 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2020-2024 All American and 2021-2024 Vision transit 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."
The risk: An emergency exit label that is difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the 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 (NSB).
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R23CK (NSB)View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 12, 2024
89 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Bus Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vision transit buses equipped with 6.8L gasoline engines. The coating on the fuel lines may have been improperly applied, which can result in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2024. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.
Blue Bird Body CompanyView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

S26DZ

SERVICE BRAKES

The mechanical brake switch & bracket design has a potential for cumulative at-limit stack up clearances to exceed the limitations of the mechanical switch. As a result, a preventative maintenance adjustment procedure is necessary and, at times, settings can be difficult to achieve.

SU2201

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Cummins recently issued Temporary Repair Practice (TRP2484) for certain vehicles with DEF sensor failures in which DEF sensor replacement parts are not available. This provides a temporary ECM calibration that inhibits engine warning messages for communication errors with the DEF sensor allowing continued operation without engine derate. Regulators are allowing for this temporary calibration to be loaded in the engine ECM by a Cummins authorized repair location if the DEF sensor fails. This temporary calibration does not repair the failure therefore a final repair must be performed and the original calibration be re-installed. Field Service has been requesting an ECM image be uploaded within the support ticket as part of the diagnostics and is carried over into Service Update 2201 (SU2201). In order to receive an authorization code and utilize Cummins TRP2484, you must follow the process, as outlined in SU2201. The specific component affected is Assembly Code: 35-300 Emissions Components.

S21AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Overview: Certain 2013 through 2022 model year Blue Bird Vision School and Non-School Bus units has experienced signs of single strand failing, leading to multiple stands, and eventually belt failure. The belt composition is not ideal for the life cycle of the bus. This Service Bulletin will provide owners with a one-time new replacement belt with the more durable material that is currently being used in production and for service. This Service Bulletin is for part cost coverage only. No labor reimbursement will be provided. Affected Units: Blue Bird Body Company is voluntarily issuing a service bulletin for the following: o Certain model year 2013 through 2022 Blue Bird Vision School Buses omanufactured from January 10, 2012 through February 26, 2021 o Certain model year 2013 through 2022 Blue Bird Vision Non-School Buses omanufactured from November 20, 2012 through November 19, 2020 Repair Parts: The Parts List outlined in the S21AZ Instructions details the part required to perform Service Bulletin S19AZ and should be ordered through Blue Bird Service Parts. The belt is based on the engine generation. Parts are currently available. Time Allowance: No labor will be provided to replace the belt with a more durable material belt, per the published Service Bulletin instructions.

SU2103

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The intent of Service Update SU2103 is to announce a new Shaw Development Technical Bulletin. The Technical Bulletin is intended to guide Shaw Development customers in troubleshooting fault codes related to the DEF tank assembly on Cummins engine equipment. This document is intended to be a “living document”, and the details and processes within can/will change as system designs evolve, or other new information comes to light. Access to this Shaw Development Technical Bulletin will be available on the Blue Bird Vantage website.

S19AG

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Blue Bird has determined that the CIT brand air conditioning relays should be replaced with Song Chuan brand relays (PN 00079077). Additionally, the wiring harness (PN 10023917) connected to the relay base should be inspected for any sign of damage and replaced, if necessary. Blue Bird will provide parts at no cost and will reimburse the repair time in accordance with the information presented below. Affected Units: This service bulletin includes: Certain model year 2015-2021 Vision School Buses manufactured from August 5, 2014 through September 11, 2019. Certain model year 2016-2021 All American School Buses manufactured from May 8, 2015 through September 8, 2019. Certain model year 2016-2021 Vision Non-school Buses manufactured November 20, 2014 through August 10, 2019. Certain model year 2015-2020 All American Non-school Buses manufactured September 15, 2014 through September 7, 2019. A separate printout is included which lists all of your buses that are affected by this service bulletin

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 Vision Transit Bus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027020
2026030
2025040
2024050
20230100
2022080
2021Viewing0130
20200150

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.