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Blue Bird School BusYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on record for the Blue Bird School Bus.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints33Top: StructureSafety recalls21984–2009 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Blue Bird School Bus years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the School Bus median. Tap a year for its full report.

'84'85'86'87'91'92'93'95'96'97'98'00'01'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2009Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2000Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1984Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Blue Bird School Bus problems

All model years combined: 33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure80
Electrical system62
Engine and engine cooling52
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Visibility51
Fuel system, gasoline30
Fuel system, other20
Power train20
Suspension20
6 other systems62
2 recalls

Blue Bird School Bus recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Appliance: air conditioner11V-137 · 2009 · Feb 24, 2011 · 5 vehicles–Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights87V-115 · 1987 · Jul 28, 1987 · 550 vehicles
8 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the School Bus

  1. ELECTRICAL WIRE CHAFINGPE00021 · 2000 · closed Aug 2, 2000
    No recall
  2. BRAIDED FUEL (CNG) HOSE FAILURESRQ98010 · 1996–1997 · still open
    Led to recall 98V-110
  3. EMERGENCY DOOR DECALSSQ97010 · 1995–1996 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE CABLE DISCONNECTSPE93050 · 1992 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  5. HANDRAIL SNAGSPE93006 · 1987–1993 · closed Mar 24, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-032
  6. FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILSEA92042 · 1989–1992 · closed Dec 30, 1993
    No recall
  7. FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILSPE92074 · 1989–1992 · closed Dec 14, 1992
    No recall
  8. FRONT BODY BOLTS FAILPE90061 · 1989 · closed Jul 6, 1990
    No recall