NHTSA vehicle safety data
2006 Blue Bird Express 4500 Recalls & Complaints
The 2006 Blue Bird Express 4500 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 2006 Blue Bird Express 4500. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Blue Bird Express 4500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Battery Equalizers/DC-DC Converters-Possible Fire
NHTSA #13V480000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported October 17, 2013 · Blue Bird Body Company
Potentially affected: 393 vehicles
Repair completion: 22.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Blue Bird campaign R13WN · Owners notified December 17, 2013
Defect description
Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2004 Ultra LMB, 2003-2006 Ultra LF and 2004-2007 Express commercial buses equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
Safety consequence
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021. Blue Bird's recall number is R13WN.
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.
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT/TRW/MAC
NHTSA #08V259000 · Steering — Linkages — Tie Rod Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported June 10, 2008 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 33 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R08ND · Owners notified July 11, 2008 · Vehicles built August 5, 2005 – May 25, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 33 MY 2006-2007 EXPRESS 4500 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH MAC TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT AND/OR RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AT HIGH MILEAGE.
Safety consequence
A FRACTURE TIE ROD MAY SEPARATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAUSING UNEXPECTED LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING. IN SOME MANEUVERS THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WITH A REDESIGNED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R08ND.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.
TIE ROD ENDS/STUDS /ARVIN-MERITOR
NHTSA #07V540000 · Steering — Linkages — Tie Rod Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported November 21, 2007 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 12 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R07MP · Owners notified November 9, 2007 · Vehicles built November 2, 2006 – May 19, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, THE CASTLE NUTS ON THE TIE ROD ENDS AND RELAY ROD STUDS IN THE INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES ARE LOOSE AND/OR NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. LOW AND/OR NO TORQUE ON A NUT CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, THEREBY ALLOWING THE TAPERED JOINT TO MOVE AND SUBSEQUENTLY SHEAR THE COTTER PIN.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE STEERING LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH ARVIN-MERITOR TO REPAIR THESE COACHES (PLEASE SEE 07E094). THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R07MP.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.
Other Blue Bird Express 4500 model years
Check your 2006 Blue Bird Express 4500 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Blue Bird Express 4500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Blue Bird VIN