NHTSA campaign 13V480000 · Blue Bird campaign R13WN
Blue Bird Recall 13V-480: Battery Equalizers/DC-DC Converters-Possible Fire
NHTSA recall 13V480000 (Blue Bird campaign R13WN) was reported by Blue Bird Body Company on October 17, 2013, with 393 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Blue Bird Express 4000, Blue Bird Express 4500, Blue Bird Ultra LF and more for model years 2003–2007. Owners were notified on December 17, 2013, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 13V480000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 13V480000 (also written 13V-480 or 13V480)
- Filed by
- Blue Bird Body Company
- Blue Bird campaign number
- R13WN
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 393 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Electrical System
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 22.34% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 13V480000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 13V480000.
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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 13V480000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.