NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

FUEL LIFT PUMP/CUMMINS/ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #05V062000 · Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported February 22, 2005 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 18,891 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R05JL · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2002 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, TC2000 SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, AND COMMERCIAL SERIES BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY CUMMINS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BLUE BIRD/ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS

NHTSA #03V085000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported March 28, 2003 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 4,302 vehicles

Vehicles built March 5, 1998 – June 3, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB 6 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACE OR MOUNTING HARDWARE CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK WHICH WILL ALLOW THE ALTERNATOR TO DROP ONTO THE ENGINE.

Safety consequence

IN THIS EVENT, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE MAY EXIST.

Manufacturer remedy

CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER ALTERNATOR SUPPORT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/ALTERNATOR CABLE

NHTSA #02V233000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported September 5, 2002 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 318 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R02GK · Owners notified September 30, 2002 · Vehicles built March 9, 1998 – February 25, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN FRONT ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BLUE BIRD OPTION 40177 CUMMINS ISB ENGINE, THE ALTERNATOR POWER CABLES MAY NOT BE ROUTED PROPERLY FROM THE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT TO THE STARTER MOTOR.

Safety consequence

IF THE CABLES ARE NOT ROUTED PROPERLY, THE CABLE INSULATION COULD BE ABRADED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER CHASSIS COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A SHORT TO GROUND.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A LOOM AND REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL POWER CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR OUTPUT TO STARTING MOTOR. THE ALTERNATOR POWER CABLE WILL BE REPLACED IF ABRASIONS ARE FOUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE

NHTSA #01V191000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported June 11, 2001 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 5,631 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R01FF · Owners notified July 30, 2001 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – May 31, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REAR MOUNTED ENGINES. THE 12-VOLT POWER SUPPLY CABLE(S) MAY BE CHAFFED BY HOSES, HARNESSES, FRAME COMPONENTS, OR CLAMPS.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE 12-VOLT POWER CABLE(S) FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-822-2242.

Notes

BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R01FF.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/BENDIX AIR BRAKE VALVE

NHTSA #00V162000 · Service Brakes, Air — Controls — Foot Control/Valve · NHTSA notice

Reported June 12, 2000 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 9,687 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R00DX · Owners notified June 14, 2000 · Vehicles built October 15, 1997 – May 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX AIR BRAKES. BENDIX CHANGED THE INTERNAL DESIGN OF THE QR1C RELAY VALVE BY ADDING A HOLE IN THE INTERNAL DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM ALIGNS WITH THE HOLE IN THE VALVE BODY, THE BRAKE APPLICATION TIME INCREASES.

Safety consequence

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, DRIVER ACTIVATES THE PARKING BRAKE BUT REMOVES FOOT FROM THE THREADLE VALVE, THE BUS COULD ROLL BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKE IS FULLY ENGAGED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/FMVSS 217/SLIDING PUSHOUT WINDOWS

NHTSA #00V130000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2000 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 2,088 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign R00DV · Owners notified May 25, 2000 · Vehicles built August 26, 1994 – April 4, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TRANSIT SLIDING PUSHOUT WINDOWS. POTENTIAL STICKING AND/OR BINDING OF THE PUSHOUT WINDOW INNER FRAME WITHIN THE OUTER FRAME RESULTS IN OPENING FORCES EXCEEDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Safety consequence

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES FOR MODIFYING THE TRANSIT SLIDING PUSHOUT WINDOWS TO CONFORM THE FMVSS 217 REQUIREMENTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 25, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BLUE BIRD/BRAKE LINES

NHTSA #00V051000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported February 22, 2000 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

Potentially affected: 3,113 vehicles

Blue Bird campaign 400DR · Owners notified March 8, 2000 · Vehicles built March 19, 1998 – February 3, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE TREADLE VALVE AIR LINES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

Safety consequence

WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, FUTURE MAINTENANCE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THIS INCONSISTENCY, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED INCORRECT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series.

Other Blue Bird Commercial Series model years

Check your 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series VIN

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