NHTSA vehicle safety data
2008 Blue Bird Conventional Recalls & Complaints
The 2008 Blue Bird Conventional has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Blue Bird Conventional. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2008 Blue Bird Conventional owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2008 Blue Bird Conventional, describing incidents dated June 22, 2015.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Engine 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10734469 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BLUE BIRD CONVENTIONAL. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE…
Wheel Chair Lift Link Arm Pivot Holes
NHTSA #15V730000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported November 4, 2015 · Blue Bird Body Company
Potentially affected: 5,114 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R15YI-SB · Owners notified December 1, 2015 · Vehicles built March 30, 2006 – January 22, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
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.
Wheelchair Lift - Platform Cracking
NHTSA #14V510000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 2014 · Blue Bird Body Company
Potentially affected: 5,114 vehicles
Repair completion: 17.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Blue Bird campaign R14XN · Owners notified October 1, 2014
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
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.
WHEELCHAIR LIFTS/INTERLOCK BELT
NHTSA #10V133000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported April 5, 2010 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 1,622 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R10TH · Owners notified April 27, 2010 · Vehicles built December 13, 2007 – January 18, 2010 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BLUE BIRD HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 13, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL S OR K SERIES PUBLIC USE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.
Safety consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R10RT.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
WHEELCHAIR LIFTS/INTERLOCK BELT
NHTSA #10V134000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported April 5, 2010 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 23 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R10RT · Owners notified April 27, 2010 · Vehicles built December 16, 2007 – December 21, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BLUE BIRD HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD TRANSI BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 16, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2009 EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL S OR K SERIES PUBLIC USE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.
Safety consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R10RT.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
OFFSET LEG BARRIER PADS OR 2/3 SEAT BACK/FMVSS 222
NHTSA #09V328000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported August 13, 2009 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 37,095 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R09PM · Owners notified September 18, 2009 · Vehicles built February 1, 2003 – May 24, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT(S).
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R09PM.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
FMVSS 403/RICON PLATFORM LIFTS/STOW INTERLOCK
NHTSA #08V395000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported August 12, 2008 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 2,503 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R08NH · Owners notified September 25, 2008 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – December 31, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,503 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Safety consequence
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD'S RECALL NO. R08NH.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.
THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM/FMVSS 404/RICON
NHTSA #08V163000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice
Reported April 10, 2008 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 2,129 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R08NA · Owners notified May 30, 2008 · Vehicles built May 3, 2005 – February 15, 2008 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,129 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 3, 2005 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL 1200, 2000, AND 5500 PLATFORM STYLE WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Safety consequence
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R08NA.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.
Other Blue Bird Conventional model years
Check your 2008 Blue Bird Conventional VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Blue Bird Conventional at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Blue Bird VIN