Emergency: escape/egress/exitRecall 19V-526 · Blue Bird vehicles
Blue Bird Body Company recall 19V-526 covers 1,737 Blue Bird vehicles for a emergency: escape/egress/exit problem, reported to NHTSA on July 12, 2019. The manufacturer's latest report (2020 Q4) shows 62% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 19V526000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Specialty Manufacturing Prolo roof emergency exit hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use. 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."
The risk
If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Blue Bird will notify owners, and Specialty dealers will replace the outer handle, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AF - SB.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
62%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.