2007 Blue Bird Vision Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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."

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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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 pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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 big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 is R14XN.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 is R14XN.

Problem: 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 Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, there is an increased risk that the window panels may separate and fall onto occupants causing injury.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2012 all american, 2006 through 2011 vision, and 2006 conventional school buses manufactured between september 19, 2005, and may 3, 2011, equipped with 2-passenger seats installed forward of the 39" barrier. In the event of a crash, the barrier may make contact with the 2-passenger seat installed forward of the barrier. Accordingly, these buses fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

Risk: The seat occupants may be seriously injured in the event of a crash.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on january 18, 2012. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 vision school buses. The dash instrument panel abs indicator light does not illuminate when the abs circuit is disconnected at the main abs module. Accordingly, these buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems," and fmvss no. 121, "air brake systems."

Risk: In the event the abs circuit disconnects from the main abs module, the bus operator would be unaware of the failure of the abs system and the associated reduced braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Blue bird is currently working with stoneridge to produce software that dealers can use to reprogram the dash instrument panel. Blue bird will notify owners once the software update becomes available. The affected buses will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on june 23, 2011. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition could result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2009 vision non-school buses manufactured from september 19, 2003 through july 2, 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.

Risk: This condition could result in a fire.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and repair the buses as necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on may 26, 2020. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2010 all american, vision, micro bird, and conventional school buses manufactured between january 30, 2003 and may 7, 2009. Incorrect offset leg barrier pads or 2/3 seat back pads may have been installed. Buses with incorrect pads installed fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant(s).

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on september 18, 2009. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling 4,591 my 2007 and 2008 vision conventional school buses manufactured from march 29, 2006 through december 3, 2007, equipped with caterpillar c7 engines. The main battery power cable may chafe against the engine components at the rear of the engine.

Risk: Chafing of the cable can result in a direct short with potential for fire.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and inspect and correct the buses free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2009. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: The hydraulic brake hoses from the master cylinder to the chassis frame may have been improperly routed or retained on certain 2004 through 2009 my blue bird vision conventional school and transit buses manufactured from january 11, 2004 through april 22, 2008.

Risk: Improper routing or retention of the hydraulic brake hoses may result in brake hoses chaffing against the bus body and/or chassis components which could cause a leak in the hydraulic brake system resulting in reduced braking capacity which could result in a crash.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and inspect and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began on august 8, 2008. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Problem: Blue bird is recalling 23,464 my 2005 through 2009 all american and vision school and transit model buses manufactured from january 22, 2004, and march 28, 2008, and my 2004 through 2007 all american school buses and conventional model school buses manufactured from march 6, 2003, through june 16, 2006. The rivet pattern may be incorrect in sections of the rear roof sheet joint that attaches to the rear roof cap. Without the appropriate amount of roof rivets, the buses fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 221, "joint strength."

Risk: In the event of a crash, these panels may separate exposing the occupants to increased risk of injury.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and inspect and repair the buses by adding additional rivets. The recall began on september 18, 2008. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain my 2007 and 2008 blue bird vision and all american school and transit buses manufactured between december 1, 2005, and may 24, 2007, and equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valves. The internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button.

Risk: The delayed parking brake application can occur without warning, leading to unintended vehicle rollaway.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and provide a free remedy. The recall began on september 30, 2007. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain blue bird my 2004 through 2007 vision school and transit buses manufactured between october 9, 2003, and september 21, 2006, equipped with parker single check vavles (scv) provided by bendix. The defect exists in the parker scv that connects with the supply port of the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve. After prolonged use of the parker scv, the valve body retainer may become excessively worn and eventually break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve.

Risk: This condition can cause a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button. These conditions can occur without warning, leading to unintended vehicle rollaway, brake drag, or in the case of loss of primary circuit, inability to modulate the spring brakes.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and provide a free remedy. The recall began on september 30, 2007. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain blue bird 2007 and 2008 vision school buses manufactured between february 9 and october 27, 2006. The lift inner barrier interlock switch system may not detect the presence of a passenger on the inner barrier and allow the platform to move down more than one inch below floor level while occupied which does not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, platform lift systems for motor vehicles.

Risk: In the event this condition occurs during passenger operations it may be possible for the wheelchair lift to tip backwards onto the platform if the user is backing onto the lift from inside the vehicle and has the small front wheels fully or partially on the inner barrier when the platform was lowered. A standee could loose his or her balance if they were positioned fully or partly on the inner barrier when the platform is lowered. Either condition could cause personal injury.

Fix: Blue bird is working with ricon to repair the buses free of charge (please see 06e101). The recall is expected to begin on or about february 26, 2007. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain 2007 and 2008 my blue bird vision school buses manufactured between october 16, 2006, and january 18, 2007. Continuous resetting of the circuit breaker when the wiper/washer is operating in the wash/wipe mode may cause failure in the wiring circuit resulting in power being applied to the ground which could cause the circuit breaker to overheat and fail resulting in a stalled wiper.

Risk: Failure of the wiper in inclement weather conditions may cause a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in property damage, personal injury or death.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on february 28, 2007. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain my 2007 blue bird vision school buses equipped with air brakes manufactured from august 17 through september 5, 2006. An incorrect fitting was designed into the subassembly for the rear axle brake valve module. A standard 90 degree elbow was used where a 90 degree check valve should have been used. These buses fail to conform to the bleed down requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "brake systems.

Risk: In the event of a catastrophic line failure, the emergency brakes will apply without warning, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began on september 29, 2006. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain 2004-2007 my vision school buses manufactured between august 5, 2003, and june 13, 2006, equipped with option 40280-02 ammeter shunt. The power cable originally installed between the toe board and the shunt may be too short and may break due to engine vibration.

Risk: Should the power cable break while the bus is in use, the bus could become stranded in an active lane which could possibly result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and replace the short power cable with a longer one free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.

Problem: Certain 2007 vision school buses equipped with bendix air brakes manufactured between april 7 and may 26, 2006. The check valve inside the valve cavity may not properly seat, causing internal air leakage. This can cause a delay in the application of the spring brake to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button.

Risk: The delayed parking brake application can occur without warning, leading to unintended vehicle rollaway, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.

Fix: Blue bird will notify owners and replace the brake valve free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners can contact blue bird at 478-822-2242.