The Used Car Index

2004 Blue Bird Express 4500 problems

No complaints are listed for the 2004 Blue Bird Express 4500. NHTSA's API and bulk file list none in this build.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BLUE BIRD EXPRESS 4500.

At a glance

Complaints
0
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
393
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
4

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Model-generated complaint tags: No complaints are listed for tagging.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

13V480000

Date: 2013-10-17. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2004 Ultra LMB, 2003-2006 Ultra LF and 2004-2007 Express commercial buses equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed t (excerpt)

Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WN. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V388000

Date: 2004-08-04. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, MOTOR HOMES, COMMUTER COACHES, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ARVIN-MERITOR DX 225 AIR DISC BRAKES, ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE SMOKE IN THE WHEEL AREA DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE AIR DISC BRAKE PADS.

Consequence: A POTENTIAL FIRE IN THE WHEEL MAY OCCUR WHICH MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: ARVIN-MERITOR WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES TO ENSURE PROPER SET-UP AND OPERATION. THIS RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V341000

Date: 2004-07-19. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE BUSES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE, WHICH PROTECTS THE FRONT SERVICE BRAKE RESERVOIR.

Consequence: LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD THE REQUIRED CHECK VALVE TO THE FRONT AIR BRAKE SERVICE RESERVOIR TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 121. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V153000

Date: 2004-03-26. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TRANSIT COACHES, INCORRECT TORQUE APPLICATION COULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE CLAMP BOLTS AND THE DRAG LINK.

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO THE CLAMPS BECOMING LOOSE, CAUSING MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING AXLES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMP BOLTS AND AND TIGHTEN TO THE REQUIRED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

4 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1

10128907

Date: 2016-12-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

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.

10128588

Date: 2016-01-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

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.

10043252

Date: 2007-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

COACHWORKS EXPRESS: ON SOME MODEL YEAR COACHES, THE ALTERNATOR MOUNTING TABS AND ALTERNATOR MOUNTING BOLT TORQUE CRACKING/BREAKING ON BOTH ALTERNATORS. *PE

10010907

Date: 2004-08-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

EXCESSIVE SMOKE IN THE WHEEL AREA DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE AIR DISC BRAKE PADS IN THE ARVIN-MERITOR SUPPLIED BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. RECALL R04HW. *TT

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.
  • NHTSA's complaints API and bulk file list no complaint for this make, model and model year in this data build.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
EXPRESS 45000

Same model, other years

All model years | All Blue Bird models

Other Blue Bird models, 2004

Sources

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