1999 Blue Bird Commercial Series: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1999 Blue Bird Commercial Series. The newest campaign is 05V062000. NHTSA received the report on 22 Feb 2005. The NHTSA record gives the component Fuel System, Diesel. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 05V062000, in the NHTSA record

Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. For more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

11 campaigns, newest first. 55,801 units in total.

05V06200022 Feb 2005Fuel System, Diesel
04V42600030 Aug 2004Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
03V08500028 Mar 2003Electrical System / Alternator/Generator/Regulator
01V3380002 Nov 2001Suspension
01V19100011 Jun 2001Electrical System / Wiring
01V04400323 Feb 2001Steering / Linkages / Tie Rod Assembly
00V27900418 Dec 2000Service Brakes, Air / Antilock
00V23000117 Aug 2000Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
00V16200012 Jun 2000Service Brakes, Air / Controls / Foot Control/Valve
00V1300005 May 2000Visibility / Windshield
00V05100022 Feb 2000Service Brakes, Air / Supply / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

05V062000Received 22 Feb 2005. 18,891 units.
Fuel System, Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain 1998 through 2002 blue bird all american, tc2000 school and transit buses, and commercial series buses equipped with cummins isb diesel engines. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. For more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R05JL.
04V426000Received 30 Aug 2004. 372 units.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain blue bird 1999-2005 all american, tc/2000, micro bird, vision, conventional, and commercial series school buses equipped with sure-loc wheelchair securement systems and manufactured between february 17, 1999, and august 13, 2004. Certain sure-lok wheelchair tie-down securement assemblies p/n 8625-13. The sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly may be out of alignment causing the load pawl not to fully seat in the sprocket teeth.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Blue bird will notify its customers and replace the defective part free of charge. The recall began september 21, 2004. Owners who take their buses to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact at blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R04JB. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Sep 2004.
03V085000Received 28 Mar 2003. 4,302 units.
Electrical System / Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain school and transit buses equipped with cummins isb 6 cylinder engines, the lower alternator support brace or mounting hardware can loosen or break which will allow the alternator to drop onto the engine.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In this event, the electrical wiring harness may be damaged and the possibility of fire may exist.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Cummins will notify customers and replace the upper and lower alternator support brackets free of charge. Owners who take their vehicle to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cummins at 1-800-343-7357 or blue bird at 478-822-2242.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY.
01V338000Received 2 Nov 2001. 2,692 units.
Suspension
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with hendrickson rear air suspension. Inadequate tightening of the 5/8" bolts on the rear air suspension hanger bolts and on rear axle torque arm axle seat studs.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Insufficient tightening permits movement between the components that could result in bolts and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the 5/8" grade 8-hanger bolts. In addition, axle spring seat fasteners will be checked for proper tightness and, if needed, tightened to specifications. Owner notification began january 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R01FL. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Jan 2002.
01V191000Received 11 Jun 2001. 5,631 units.
Electrical System / Wiring
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. The 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-822-2242.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R01FF. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Jul 2001.
01V044003Received 23 Feb 2001. 842 units.
Steering / Linkages / Tie Rod Assembly
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses and motor home chassis equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. The suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began march 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1-912-822-2242 or trw customer service at 1-866-280-3287.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R01ET. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Mar 2001.
00V279004Received 18 Dec 2000. 1,269 units.
Service Brakes, Air / Antilock
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with meritor wabco phase 1, d-version antilock brake system (ABS), fail to comply to the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." an internal diagnostic system in the ABS may not detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap. Such a condition could possibly occur during (1) original assembly or (2) subsequent wheel end service.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Failure of the electronic control unit to detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap can result in the loss of antilock braking function on the wheel(s) where the air gap exists, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
The ABS ECU will be removed and replaced or the ECU will be reprogrammed.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R00EJ. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Feb 2001.
00V230001Received 17 Aug 2000. 6,914 units.
Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with electronic engines and felsted electronic accelerator pedals. The return springs can break on the accelerator pedals that are equipped with stainless steel or electroplated music wire return springs.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition could cause the pedal to go to full throttle if both return springs break, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Replacement accelerator pedals equipped with return springs manufactured of music wire with one additional coil on each spring and with an organic coating, eliminating electroplating will be installed.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R00EA. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Aug 2000.
00V162000Received 12 Jun 2000. 9,687 units.
Service Brakes, Air / Controls / Foot Control/Valve
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix air brakes. Bendix changed the internal design of the qr1c relay valve by adding a hole in the internal diaphragm. When the hole in the diaphragm aligns with the hole in the valve body, the brake application time increases.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Under certain conditions, such as parked on an incline, driver activates the parking brake but removes foot from the threadle valve, the bus could roll before the parking brake is fully engaged.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R00DX. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jun 2000.
00V130000Received 5 May 2000. 2,088 units.
Visibility / Windshield
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with transit sliding pushout windows. Potential sticking and/or binding of the pushout window inner frame within the outer frame results in opening forces exceeding the requirements of FMVSS no. 217, "bus window retention and release."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Personal injury could occur in the event of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners will be provided with step-by-step procedures for modifying the transit sliding pushout windows to conform the FMVSS 217 requirements.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number R00DV. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 25 May 2000.
00V051000Received 22 Feb 2000. 3,113 units.
Service Brakes, Air / Supply / Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix ABS anti-lock braking system. The primary and secondary brake treadle valve air lines were installed incorrectly at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
With the brake system installed incorrectly, future maintenance might be affected by this inconsistency, causing the brakes to be installed incorrect, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Report filed by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 400DR. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Mar 2000.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigations

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1999 Blue Bird Commercial SeriesThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1999 Blue Bird Commercial Series: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/blue-bird/commercial-series/1999/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1999 Blue Bird Commercial Series?: 55,801 units in 11 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Blue Bird Commercial Series have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the Blue Bird Commercial Series, model years 1995 to 2004. 11 of them name the 1999 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1999 Blue Bird Commercial Series open?: The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.