2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN Complaints and Recall Information
The 2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN has 1 complaint and 22 recalls filed with NHTSA. The sole complaint concerns fractured seat knobs reported by a certified mechanic for the Buna ISD School System. The issue was identified across a fleet, though the manufacturer was not previously notified and the failure mileage is unknown.
Common Issues
- Seat knob fractures. Multiple buses inspected showed fractured seat knobs, raising concerns of material durability or manufacturing defects in these components.
There are 22 recalls affecting various systems on the 2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN. The recalls address safety and structural defects involving the roof, seats, labels, brakes, and structural components. These recalls cover thousands of vehicles and include corrective actions such as inspections, part replacements, and software updates.
Recalls
- Roof structure. (24V543000) Approximately 16,708 buses from 2019-2023 may have roof joints with insufficient strength risking panel separation during a crash. Dealers will inspect and reinforce these joints with additional rivets at no cost. Owner notifications were sent in September 2024.
- Seat installation. (24V079000, 24V078000) Around 6,818 transit and school buses from 2020-2023 have convertible seats that may be unsecured due to incorrect installation, increasing injury risk in crashes. Dealers will inspect and repair affected seats free of charge. Notifications occurred in March 2024.
- Emergency exit labels. (24V758000, 24V759000) Labels on emergency exits in roughly 28,879 buses from 2019-2024 have lettering that is too small to read easily, potentially delaying emergency egress. Dealers will replace these labels free of charge. Notifications were sent in December 2024.
- Instrument cluster software. (23V425000, 23V424000) About 1,533 buses from 2021-2024 contain a software error disabling air pressure gauges and low air warnings, undermining brake system alerts and increasing crash risk. Dealers will update software at no cost. Notifications occurred July 2023.
- Seat restraining barriers. (23V778000) Approximately 6,124 buses with 39" high back restraining barriers risk barrier bolts separating when fully loaded, compromising occupant protection. Dealers will install longer bolts and washers free of charge. Owner notifications were expected January 2024.
- Engine control module. (22V600000) Two 2023 models may suffer internal ECM shorts causing unexpected engine shutdowns and preventing restart, increasing crash and evacuation risks. Dealers will replace ECMs and update software free of charge. Notifications were sent September 2022.
- Entrance door handrails. (22V763000) Twenty transit buses from 2023 feature handrails with undersized diameters not compliant with ADA standards, increasing slip or fall risks. Dealers will replace handrails free of charge. Notifications were mailed December 2022.
Owners of the 2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN encountering repeated repairs, unresolved safety defects, or recall-related issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with qualified legal counsel can help clarify available remedies.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN Summary
2023
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
10
Total Recalls
60084
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
28479 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Vision and All American school 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."
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.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
127 vehicles affected
SEATS
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Vision and 2021-2023 All American transit buses. The convertible seats may have been incorrectly installed, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: An unsecured seat may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
16708 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Blue Bird Bus Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Vision, All American Front Engine, and All American Rear Engine school buses. An exterior roof joint may have been manufactured with insufficient strength that can allow the roof panels to separate in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."
Risk: Roof panels that separate during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
6691 vehicles affected
SEATS
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Vision 2020-2023 All American school buses. The convertible seats may have been incorrectly installed, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: An unsecured seat may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
400 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
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.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
1424 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2021-2024 All American and 2021-2022 Vision school buses. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause the air pressure gauges and the visual and audio low air warnings to not function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Air gauges and warnings that do not alert the driver to air pressure loss can result in driving without functioning brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
109 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2022-2024 All American transit buses. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause the air pressure gauges and the visual and audio low air warnings to not function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Air gauges and warnings that do not alert the driver to air pressure loss, can result in driving without functioning brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
6124 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2014-2024 All American school buses equipped with 39" High Back seat restraining barriers. The bolts securing the restraining barriers to the floor may separate when fully loaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured seat restraining barrier may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
20 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2023 Vision and All-American transit buses. The entrance door handrail has an under-sized diameter and is not compliant with Part 1192, Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Appendix A, Chapter 3, T303.3.2, which requires a minimum diameter of 1.25 inches.
Risk: A smaller handrail may be difficult to grip, possibly resulting in a slip or fall and increasing the risk of injury.
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
2 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2023 All American school buses. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal short-circuit, which can result in an unexpected engine shut down without the ability to restart the vehicle.
Risk: An unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a disabled school bus may require an evacuation procedure in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
Complaints
2023 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
ID: 2124914SEATS
The complaint was submitted on behalf of the Buna ISD School System. The contact was a certified mechanic for the Buna ISD School System. The contact inspected the 2023 Blue Bird School/Transit Bus and noticed that all the seat knobs were fractured. In addition, the contact inspected the fleet of buses with the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.