RoadVitals

2005 Blue Bird Vision

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 Mar 8, 2012
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.
15
Latest Apr 6, 2011
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.
4
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2005 Blue Bird Vision, most frequently naming the engine category. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 16 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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

15 campaigns cover this model year

View all 15

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
11V218000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Apr 6, 2011
3,919 units potentially affected
The defect: BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VISION CONVENTIONAL STYLE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 26, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2004. THE STARTER CABLE MAY CONTACT AND POTENTIALLY CHAFE AGAINST THE STEEL BRAIDED POWER STEERING HOSE THEREBY CREATING A DIRECT SHORT.
The risk: A SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT BUSES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STARTER CABLE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE. BUSES FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WILL HAVE A CLAMP INSTALLED TO PREVENT FURTHER CONTACT. ANY DAMAGED POWER STEERING HOSES OR STARTER CABLES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R11TAView on NHTSA.gov
11V219000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Apr 6, 2011
30 units potentially affected
The defect: BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2006 VISION CONVENTIONAL STYLE NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 26, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2004. THE STARTER CABLE MAY CONTACT AND POTENTIALLY CHAFE AGAINST THE STEEL BRAIDED POWER STEERING HOSE THEREBY CREATING A DIRECT SHORT.
The risk: A SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT BUSES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STARTER CABLE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE. BUSES FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WILL HAVE A CLAMP INSTALLED TO PREVENT FURTHER CONTACT. ANY DAMAGED POWER STEERING HOSES OR STARTER CABLES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R11TAView on NHTSA.gov
10V169000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Apr 23, 2010
18,821 units potentially affected
The defect: BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2009 VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2003 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24, 2008. THE POWER CABLES RUNNING TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT STUD AND DRIVER'S CONTROL MODULE STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH THE LUG (EYELET) FLAT SIDE UP. WHEN THIS CONDITION EXISTS, VIBRATION MAY WEAR THE INSULATION PERMITTING DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE BARE LUG AND THE PDU OR DCM WHICH COULD CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MAY 26, 2020. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANYManufacturer number R10RWView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE08038ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFING/LEAKING

Opened Jun 4, 2008
Closed Aug 4, 2008

IN APRIL, 2008, ODI RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL ALLEGING THAT THEIR FIELD INSPECTORSWEREFINDING HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES THAT WEREBEING CUT OR CRUSHED BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BUS BODY AT THE FIREWALL.THEY ALSO SUPPLIED INFORMATION ON ONE BUS THAT EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE LOSS DUE TO THE BRAKE HOSE BEING CUT. FURTHER FIELD WORK BY ODI INCREASED THENUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO A TOTAL OF SEVEN.AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI AND FURTHER REVIEW OF FIELD INCIDENTS, BLUE BIRD HAS DECIDED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL TO INSPECT, REPLACE AND OR REPOSITION THE BRAKE HOSES OF CONCERN. THIS RECALL ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSLed to recall 08V312000
PE06026ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

OVER STRESSED BATTERY CABLES

Opened Jul 10, 2006
Closed Aug 31, 2006

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI WAS NOTIFIED BY THE GSA AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING DIVISION THAT THEY HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE ABATTERY CABLE TERMINAL END FAILED. GSA REPORTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AS BEING TOO SHORT AND BEING STRESSED DURING NORMAL OPERATION RESULTING IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION.THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN OR POSSIBLY A THERMAL EVENT IF THECABLE SHORTS TO A GROUND SOURCE UPON FAILURE.BLUEBIRD HAS FILED A SAFETY DEFECT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE ORIGINAL CABLE WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A LONGER BATTERY CABLE. THE AMMETER SHUNT MOUNTING WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED ON ALL BUSES DELIVERED THROUGH JULY 12, 2006.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESLed to recall 06V261000
PE06014ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE AIR PRESSURE BUZZER INOPERATIVE

Opened Apr 6, 2006
Closed Jul 13, 2006

SEE CLOSING REPORT.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:LOW PRESSURE WARNING:SWITCH
PE05028ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SCHOOL BUS STALLS

Opened May 25, 2005
Closed Sep 27, 2005

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED A COMPLAINT FROM A SCHOOL BUS FLEET REPORTING THAT THREE SEPARATE BUSES HAD STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THEY WERE LOADED WITH CHILDREN.REPORTEDLY, EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE MASTER BATTERY SHUT-OFF SWITCH WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING DEFECTIVE.ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION TO GATHER SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND DETAILS INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS.AS A RESULT OF ODI?S INVESTIGATION, BLUE BIRD HAS AGREED TO INITATE A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE STANDARD NUT ON THE 10/32 STUD WITH A LOCKING NUT, CHECK FOR PROPER WIRING INSTALLATION , AND REPOSITION THE WIRES SO THAT THEY DO NOT STRESS THE STUD.A COPY OF THE RECALL IS ATTACHED.BLUE BIRD'S ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION AND THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESLed to recall 05V382000

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2012
Fire reported

VOQ ENTERED BY MHDVD ON 8/22/2011 THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE DASH OF THE SCHOOL BUS WHICH RAPIDLY DEVELOPED AND ENGULFED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED AFTER INSPECTION. ELECTIRCAL HEATING WAS NOTED AT THE SOLENOID BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SUFFICIENT TO ACT AS AN IGNITION SOURCE AND LACK OF FUEL IN THE AREA DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE A MEANS FOR A FIRE TO DEVELOP.

NHTSA ID
10450994
Incident
Aug 22, 2011

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

RC-R-06-KW

BLUE BIRD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME BUSES A SAFETY ISSUE EXIST REGARDING THE INSTALLATION AND REPLACING OF POWER CABLE AND SHUNT BASE DUE TO BREAKAGE. *PE

SB-S-09-PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

BLUE BIRD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR BUSES, THE WRONG DISCONNECT STUD(S) SWITCH MAY BE CONNECTED TO BATTERY DISCONNECT JUMPER CABLE SWITCH. *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 Vision by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20190411—
20180351—
20171281—
20162271—
20154270—
20140220—
20132250—
20121190—
20110220—
20102251—
20096284—
20081305—
20073214—
20060175—
2005Viewing1154—
20040173—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—

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.