RoadVitals

2013 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.
2
Latest Feb 27, 2014
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.
25
Latest Oct 4, 2022
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 2013 Blue Bird Vision, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 25 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 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

  • Body & structure2100.0%

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

25 campaigns cover this model year

View all 25

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
22V736000

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

Oct 4, 2022
66 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Vision school buses equipped with Ford 6.8L LPG engines. The LPG supply line may be damaged from contact with the RH park brake cable, 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 repair the fuel lines and the park brake cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Blue Bird's customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R22CA-SB.
Blue Bird Body CompanyManufacturer number R22CA-SBView on NHTSA.gov
20V235000

PARKING BRAKE

Apr 27, 2020
3 units potentially affected
The defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2009-2019 Vision transit 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 injury to bystanders.
The remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the floor mounted park brake application force hand lever assembly and adjust 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-NSBView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Feb 27, 2014

CRACKS IN STRUCTURE BEAM UNDER DASH ALSO CAUSING THE BODY OUTER SKIN TO CRACK ON A 2013 BLUE BIRD VISION

NHTSA ID
10568434
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
19,256 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 6, 2013

2012 & 2013 BLUE BIRD VISION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SCHOOL BUSES STRUCTURAL FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER ENCLOSED PICTURES OF METAL CRACKING UNDER THE DASH SUPPORT AND CRACKING OF THE OUTER BODY.

NHTSA ID
10551300
Incident
Nov 4, 2013

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

DOR-K2T5D-01

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

This SKU is a DEF Injector. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the sealing. The injector sealing may have an issue which will cause a slow leak. A slow leak of the DEF Injector can lead to crystal formation which can cause aftertreatment related fault codes and ECU driven engine derating.

SM2001

POWER TRAIN

The intent of Service Memorandum SM2001 is to “Announce a New Blue Bird Dealer Process” now available to perform a Ford Powertrain Control Module (PCM) modification remotely at the dealer service center location. This modification will be done using the Roush Diagnostic Tool (RDT). The RDT software version 10.04.0011 or higher is required.

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)

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.

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—
2013Viewing2250—
20121190—
20110220—
20102251—
20096284—
20081305—
20073214—
20060175—
20051154—
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.