NHTSA vehicle safety data
2009 Blue Bird L4RE Recalls & Complaints
The 2009 Blue Bird L4RE has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 2009 Blue Bird L4RE. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Blue Bird L4RE. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Battery Equalizers/DC-DC Converters-Possible Fire
NHTSA #13V457000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported September 19, 2013 · North American Bus Industries, Inc.
Potentially affected: 4,061 vehicles
Repair completion: 82.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 20136 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – October 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power 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
NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
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.
Cracks may cause Steering Gear to Separate
NHTSA #13V011000 · Structure · NHTSA notice
Reported January 11, 2013 · North American Bus Industries, Inc.
Potentially affected: 53 vehicles
Owners notified March 28, 2013 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – October 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE transit buses manufactured July 1, 2007, through October 31, 2009. The buses may have a defective steering gear attachment. Cracks may develop in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame or the bus frame may crack around the bolts that attach the steering gear bracket to the frame.
Safety consequence
If left unchecked, the cracks may propagate and cause partial separation of the steering gear from the bus frame. This would cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Manufacturer remedy
NABI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296.
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.
Other Blue Bird L4RE model years
Check your 2009 Blue Bird L4RE VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Blue Bird L4RE at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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