The 2009 Blue Bird Vision has 28 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 fire.
The most-reported problem area is Fuel System, Diesel (2 reports).
2009 Blue Bird Vision recalls
School Bus Parking Brake May Fail to Hold on Slopes
The floor-mounted parking brake on certain Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses may not apply enough force to hold the vehicle still on an incline when it is loaded to its maximum weight.
Parking Brake May Fail to Hold Bus on Slopes
The floor-mounted parking brake on these transit buses may not apply enough force to hold the vehicle still on an incline when it is loaded to its maximum weight.
Seat barrier may fail to protect passengers in a crash
A seat barrier behind the driver seat, which includes an integrated 3-point seat belt, may have been installed incorrectly and may be missing a reinforcing bracket.
Starter Cable Wiring Error Can Overheat and Cause Fire
Certain school buses have the positive starter cable attached to the same power distribution stud as the battery cable.
Battery cable can overheat and cause a fire
On certain 2009 transit buses built between November 2007 and February 2008 with Caterpillar C707 engines, the positive starter cable may be attached to the same Power Distribution Unit stud as the battery cable.
Wheelchair lift platform can fall out when doors open
Certain Ricon wheelchair lifts installed in these school buses may have link arm pivot holes that are too large.
Wheelchair Lift Platform Can Fall Out When Doors Open
Some wheelchair lifts installed on these transit buses have folding link arms with pivot holes that may be too large.
Most common 2009 Blue Bird Vision problems
Problem areas named in the 6 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
What owners report
OF THE SIX THEY OPERATE ALL HAVE FAILED, WITH AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF 29,000 AND 500 DAYS IN SERVICE FOR THE FIRST FAILURE. SECOND FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED ON TWO OF THE BUSES: BOTH AT ABOUT 300 DAYS AND 19,000 MILES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. WHEN THE HOSE FAILS IT IS A MAJOR LEAK AND THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED. ALL PARTS HAVE BEEN RETURNED UNDER WARRANTY, SO CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO PARTS FOR US TO LOOK AT. HOWEVER HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE APPEARS TO INITIATE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE THEREFORE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SOME OF THESE BUSES ARE SPECIAL NEEDS BUSES. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL BUS 29429 DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AT THE #6 INJECTOR WHILE IN OPERATION. THE FUEL LEAK WAS ATOMIZING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE BUS IS A 2009 BLUEBIRD VISION SCHOOL BUS EQUIPPED WITH A C7 CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE CCSD HAS HAD SEVERAL OF THESE UNITS DEVELOP SIMILAR LEAKS. ONCE THE LEAK WAS FOUND ON THE OTHER BUSES THEY WERE SENT TO THE LOCAL CATERPILLAR DEALER. 29429 HAS NOT YET BEEN SENT. INJECTOR LINES, TUBES AND INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. *TR
HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR HEATER MOTOR BLOWER CAGE FOR SCHOOLBUS STEP WELL. BLOWER CAGE DESTRUCTS. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. THIS CREATES A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THE HEAT IS NEEDED TO KEEP STEPS FREE OF ICE AND SNOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND PARTS ARE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND TO REPLACE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BLUEBIRD VISION. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE FLOOR BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE BASE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8200. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER HAS OTHER BLUE BIRD'S THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/13/09.*JB
A 2009 BLUEBIRD VISION SCHOOL BUS DEVELOPED A FUEL (DIESEL) LEAK AND CAUGHT FIRE. IT FULLY ENGULFED THE BUS BURNING IT TO A TOTAL LOSS. ONE SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT, A TRANSPORTATION AIDE, AND THE DRIVER WERE ON BOARD. ALL EVACUATED SAFELY. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED 46 OF THESE BUSES (ALL CONFIGURED THE SAME) AND WE HAVE HAD 8 INCIDENTS OF FUEL LEAKS INVOLVING 6 OF THESE UNITS, NOT INCLUDING THE BUS WHICH CAUGHT FIRE. OUR DISTRICT HAS MET WITH BLUEBIRD AND CATERPILLAR (ENGINE SUPPLIER) AND LOOKED AT THE BURNED UNIT. WE ARE WAITING FOR THEIR COMMENTS FROM THIS. WE HAVE EXAMINED ALL OTHER SIMILAR UNITS FOR FUEL LEAKS AND POSSIBLE IGNITION SOURCES. REPAIRS AND CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AS NEEDED. *T
2009 Blue Bird Vision questions
Does the 2009 Blue Bird Vision have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 28 safety recalls for the 2009 Blue Bird Vision: School Bus Parking Brake May Fail to Hold on Slopes; Parking Brake May Fail to Hold Bus on Slopes; Seat barrier may fail to protect passengers in a crash; Starter Cable Wiring Error Can Overheat and Cause Fire; Battery cable can overheat and cause a fire. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Blue Bird Vision?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Fuel System, Diesel (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Structure (1).
How do I check if a recall on my 2009 Blue Bird Vision has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.