1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 44,030 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 05V062000 2005-02-22 18,891 affected
Defect

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

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 03V085000 2003-03-28 4,302 affected
Defect

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 THIS EVENT, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE MAY EXIST.

Remedy

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 02V233000 2002-09-05 318 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN FRONT ENGINE SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BLUE BIRD OPTION 40177 CUMMINS ISB ENGINE, THE ALTERNATOR POWER CABLES MAY NOT BE ROUTED PROPERLY FROM THE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT TO THE STARTER MOTOR.

Consequence

IF THE CABLES ARE NOT ROUTED PROPERLY, THE CABLE INSULATION COULD BE ABRADED BY CONTACT WITH OTHER CHASSIS COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A LOOM AND REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL POWER CABLE FROM ALTERNATOR OUTPUT TO STARTING MOTOR. THE ALTERNATOR POWER CABLE WILL BE REPLACED IF ABRASIONS ARE FOUND. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DO NOT…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 01V191000 2001-06-11 5,631 affected
Defect

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

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POWER FAILURE AND/OR RISK OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

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…

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 00V162000 2000-06-12 9,687 affected
Defect

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

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

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIAPHRAGMS WITH HOLES WITH SOLID DIAPHRAGMS FOR THE QR1C VALVES.

VISIBILITY 00V130000 2000-05-05 2,088 affected
Defect

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

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES FOR MODIFYING THE TRANSIT SLIDING PUSHOUT WINDOWS TO CONFORM THE FMVSS 217 REQUIREMENTS.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 00V051000 2000-02-22 3,113 affected
Defect

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

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

DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE AIR LINE PLUMBING AT THE BENDIX R12DC RELAY VALVE.

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 1998 Blue Bird Commercial Series as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.