NHTSA lists 6 complaints for the 2009 Blue Bird Vision, 0 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as BLUE BIRD VISION.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
28 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 28.
Date: 2020-04-27. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.
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 a (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2020-04-27. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.
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 (FMV (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2020-03-03. Systems: SEATS.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2008-2021 Vision and All American school buses. The seat barrier behind the driver seat with an integrated 3-point seat belt may have been installed incorrectly and may be missing the reinforcing bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Pas (excerpt)
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat barrier may not adequately protect the occupant seated behind the seat barrier separating them from the driver seat with integrated 3-point seat belt, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and properly install the seat barrier including adding reinforcing bracket, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 23, 2020. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R20AM-SB. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-02-23. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2009 Vision transit buses manufactured from November 27, 2007, through February 18, 2008, and equipped with Caterpillar C707 engines. In the affected buses, the positive starter cable may be incorrectly attached to the same Power Distribution Unit (PDU) stud as the battery cable, exposing the smaller battery cable to a higher curr (excerpt)
Consequence: Exposure to high current draw may cause the battery cable to overheat, melt the wire insulation and increase the risk of a short circuit and a fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the starter cable to the chassis power stud. Any damaged battery cables will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R16YL-NSB. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-02-23. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Vision school buses manufactured from May 10, 2007, through March 5, 2008 and equipped with Caterpillar C707 engines. In the affected buses, the positive starter cable may be incorrectly attached to the same Power Distribution Unit (PDU) stud as the battery cable, exposing the smaller battery cable to a higher current dr (excerpt)
Consequence: Exposure to high current draw may cause the battery cable to overheat, melt the wire insulation and increase the risk of a short circuit and a fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the starter cable to the chassis power stud. Any damaged battery cables will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2016. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R16YL-SB. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-11-04. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American and Vision and 2007-2011 Micro Bird transit buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2014 by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too (excerpt)
Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-11-04. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American, Vision, 2007-2011 Micro Bird, and 2007-2008 Conventional school buses, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2014 by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have piv (excerpt)
Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-08-19. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American, 2007-2010 Micro Bird, and 2007-2014 Vision non-school buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. (excerpt)
Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-08-19. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 All American and Vision, 2007-2011 Micro Bird, and 2007-2008 Conventional school buses equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. (excerpt)
Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Blue Bird's number for this recall (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-07-31. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Defect: Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 All American and Vision school buses manufactured March 10, 2006, through June 18, 2013; and equipped with optional transit sliding windows. Joint adhesive may not have been applied at the interior and exterior body window panel joints. Without the adhesive, these vehicles fail to conform to the standards of Federal Motor Vehicle S (excerpt)
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, there is an increased risk that the window panels may separate and fall onto occupants causing injury. (excerpt)
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install additional rivets at the window panel joints, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WM. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
4 investigations; 0 open.
PE10018
Opened: 2010-05-27. Closed: 2010-07-09.
Engine Compartment Fires
This investigation was opened after ODI became aware of four engine compartment fires allegedly related to fuel leakage from the engine's fuel injector system.ODI conducted field examinations and communicated the identified concerns to Blue Bird.ODI also had discussions with Caterpillar, the engine manufacturer.On June 28th, 2010, Blue Bird filed two safety defect reports with NHTSA to address fue
Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: 10E025000, 10V289000, 10V290000, 10V310000, 10V314000, 10V398000.
PE09029
Opened: 2009-06-05. Closed: 2009-08-28.
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI RECEIVED SIX FLEET COMPLAINTS (19 BUSES TOTAL) ALLEGING REPEATED ISSUES OF THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR GASKET FAILING.IT WAS ALLEGED THAT THE DEGRADED GASKET FELL INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP, RESULTING IN AN INCREASEDSTEERING EFFORT.ODI IS AWARE OF TWO BUSES THAT, WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING OPERATIONS. REPORTEDLY, THE
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: 09V284000.
PE09007
Opened: 2009-02-12. Closed: 2009-04-09.
COOLING FAN SEPARATION
A BLUE BIRD CORPORATION SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 18, 2008, WARNS OWNERS THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED USINGINCORRECTLY SIZED BOLTS AND SPACERS ONMODEL YEARS 2008 AND 2009 VISION SCHOOL BUSES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FAN BLADE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CLUTCH MOUNTING POSITION. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, ON MARCH 3, 2009, BLUE BIRD FILED A SAFETY RECALL TO INS
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: 09V075000.
PE08038
Opened: 2008-06-04. Closed: 2008-08-04.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFING/LEAKING
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
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: 08V312000.
Manufacturer communications
28 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 3 |
|---|
| SEATS | 2 |
|---|
| STEERING | 2 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
|---|
10201696
Date: 2019-10-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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 t
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.
10058965
Date: 2015-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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
10044459
Date: 2012-06-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
BLUE BIRD: CLICK DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. BREAKAWAY ADAPTER FAILS TO MEET NFPA 58 REQUIREMENTS FOR 90 DEGREE ZINC. THE NEW STEEL FITTING AND BREAKAWAY ADAPTER WOULD REPLACE EXISTING 90 DEGREE ZINC FITTING. *PE
10044143
Date: 2012-04-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.
BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. DUE TO CLAMPS NOT BEING TORQUED TO PROPER SPECIFICATION, CLAMPS FOR POWER STEERING HOUSE MAY LEAK. MODEL YEARS 2009-2013. *PE
10043392
Date: 2011-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
BLUE BIRD BUS: THE ELECTRIC DOOR DRIVE PLATE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR OUTWARD ELECTRIC OPENING ENTRANCE DOOR. *PE
10043407
Date: 2010-12-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, SEATS.
BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR BUSES, WITH TRACK MOUNTED MODULAR SEATS, A DECAL MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH INCORRECT TRACK SEATING INSTRUCTIONS. *PE
10043411
Date: 2010-09-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING FUEL LINES AND WIRING HARNESSES BE SECURED SEPARATELY AND NOT TOGETHER ABOVE AND OVER TRANSMISSION AND REAR SUSPENSION. *PE
10043416
Date: 2010-08-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
BLUE BIRD BUS: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. STARTER MOUNTING BOLTS, ON THE FLANGE, IS TOO LARGE AND NOT SEATING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE LOOSE AND HAVE STARTING PROBLEMS. *PE