NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 Blue Bird Ultra LF Recalls & Complaints
The 2003 Blue Bird Ultra LF has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 2003 Blue Bird Ultra LF. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Blue Bird dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Blue Bird Ultra LF. 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.
Cracks in Steering Gear Bracket
NHTSA #13V036000 · Structure · NHTSA notice
Reported February 5, 2013 · Blue Bird Body Company
Potentially affected: 152 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R13WA · Owners notified March 20, 2013 · Vehicles built March 14, 2003 – March 12, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Blue Bird Corporation is recalling certain model year Ultra LF transit buses manufactured March 14, 2003, through March 12, 2007. Cracks may develop in the bracket which secures the power steering gear to the bus frame.
Safety consequence
If left unchecked, the cracks may propagate and cause a separation of the steering gear from the bus frame. This would result in a loss of steering control, possibly increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install reinforcement plates, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2013. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021.
Notes
Blue Bird's recall campaign number is R13WA.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.
DOOR OPERATOR CONNECTING ROD
NHTSA #05V281000 · Structure — Body — Door — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice
Reported June 15, 2005 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 45 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R04JY · Owners notified October 18, 2005 · Vehicles built February 12, 2004 – May 25, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN COMMERCIALTRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VAPOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES, THE TWO PIECE CURVED CONNECTING RODS WHEN USED AS AN ELEMENT OF THE DOOR ACTUATION LINKAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VAPOR MEDIUM PNEUMATIC DIFFERENTIAL ENGINE, MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FAILURE RESULTING IN BENDING OR BREAKING OF THE CONNECTING ROD.
Safety consequence
A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD CAN ALLOW THE DOOR PANEL TO MOVE FREELY IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER, LEAVING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNPROTECTED BY THE DOOR PANEL AND ENABLING A PROTRUDING DOOR PANEL TO STRIKE PERSONS OR OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH VAPOR BUS INTERNATIONAL TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE REMEDY CONSISTS OF REPLACING THE TWO PIECE CONNECTING ROD WITH A ONE PIECE CONNECTING ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242 OR VAPOR AT 847-777-6400.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R04JY.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.
FMVSS 217/EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS/HEHR
NHTSA #05V014000 · Structure · NHTSA notice
Reported January 24, 2005 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 59 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R05JF · Owners notified February 25, 2005 · Vehicles built March 1, 2003 – January 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE STRIKER PLATES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMERGENCY PUSHOUT WINDOWS CAN WEAR A GROOVE INTO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE BOLT. IF THIS GROOVE BECOMES DEEP ENOUGH, THE EMERGENCY PUSH WINDOW MAY FAIL TO OPEN AS INTENDED WHEN RELEASED.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, FAILURE OF THE PUSHOUT WINDOW COULD POTENTIALLY TRAP PASSENGERS OR DELAY THEIR ESCAPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL SHIP REPAIR PARTS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO THE BUS OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-825-2021.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R05JF.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/AIR DISC BRAKE
NHTSA #04V388000 · Service Brakes, Air — Disc · NHTSA notice
Reported August 4, 2004 · BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Potentially affected: 156 vehicles
Blue Bird campaign R04HW · Owners notified August 10, 2004 · Vehicles built March 14, 2003 – July 2, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, MOTOR HOMES, COMMUTER COACHES, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ARVIN-MERITOR DX 225 AIR DISC BRAKES, ARE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE SMOKE IN THE WHEEL AREA DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE AIR DISC BRAKE PADS.
Safety consequence
A POTENTIAL FIRE IN THE WHEEL MAY OCCUR WHICH MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
ARVIN-MERITOR WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES TO ENSURE PROPER SET-UP AND OPERATION. THIS RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.
Notes
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R04HW.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Blue Bird Ultra LF model years
Check your 2003 Blue Bird Ultra LF VIN
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