1988 Blue Bird All American Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Blue Bird All American has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 86,079 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 96V112000 1996-07-01 11,222 affected
Defect

THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, FUEL SPILLAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD IS DISTRIBUTING MODIFICATION KITS WHICH INCLUDES NEW FASTENERS FOR OWNER OR DEALER INSTALLATION.

STRUCTURE 96V073000 1996-05-03 18,000 affected
Defect

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE DIRECTED TO REMOVE ALL FORWARD HANDRAILS. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THOSE OWNERS OPERATING IN STATES WHICH MANDATE A FORWARD HANDRAIL THAT A REPLACEMENT HANDRAIL WILL BE PROVIDED.

STRUCTURE 95V090000 1995-05-09 27,189 affected
Defect

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SET SCREW TO THE METAL CLAMP WHICH RETAINS THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL. A HIGH IMPACT MOLDED PLASTIC "CLAM SHELL" WILL BE PLACED OVER EACH END OF THE INTERMEDIATE HANDRAIL COMPLETELY COVERING THE CLAMP AND ELIMINATING ALL CATCH-POINTS. THE FLANGE OF THE EXISTING FLOOR LINE BRACKET WILL BE…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 93V136000 1993-08-10 2,000 affected
Defect

THE FRONT DOOR CONTROL LATCH SYSTEM FAILS DUE TO BREAKAGE OF THE LATCH PIN.

Consequence

IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE FRONT DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED,ENTRAPPING THE PASSENGERS IN THE BUS AND IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, PASSENGERSCOULD NOT USE THE FRONT DOOR TO EXIT THE BUS.

Remedy

THE LOCK PIN WILL BE REPLACED ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNERS CAN OBTAIN A MODIFICATION KIT FROM BLUE BIRD OR IF THEY PREFER, A DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.

STRUCTURE 93V032000 1993-03-01 21,000 affected
Defect

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 92V115000 1992-08-12 275 affected
Defect

A 150 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER, OPTION 4362, HAS BEEN WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH A STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT, THEREBY NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED PROTECTION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR SHORT-CIRCUIT, INADEQUATE CIRCUITPROTECTION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE REAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT CIRCUIT MUST BE REMOVED.

STEERING 92V004000 1992-01-13 793 affected
Defect

THE STEEL BRAIDING ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY ABRADE THE BATTERY CABLE.

Consequence

ABRASION OF THE BATTERY CABLE WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ASHORT CIRCUIT AND MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

REROUTE THE POWER STEERING HOSES AND SECURE THE BATTERY CABLES TO PREVENT MOVEMENT.

STEERING 90V099000 1990-05-22 5,600 affected
Defect

LOCK PINS IN STEERING WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY MY SHEAR OFF, ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO SPIN.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPAIR USING A POSITIVE LOCKING METHOD.

Defect investigations

Investigation PE92007 Opened 1992-01-21 · closed 1992-01-27

SCHOOL BUS FIRES

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93048 Opened 1993-05-12 · closed 1993-08-31

DOOR LATCH SYSTEMS

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Blue Bird All American as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.