Blue Bird ALL American School Bus Recall 19V526: Roof Emergency Hatch Handle May Break, Blocking Outside Exit

What this recall means for you

The external handle on the roof emergency exit hatch may break unexpectedly during normal use because of a manufacturing problem. The affected buses do not meet federal bus emergency exit requirements (FMVSS 217).

If the handle breaks, the roof hatch cannot easily be opened from outside the bus during an emergency. That raises the risk of injury to students and others who need to get out.

Owners should contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the outer handle free of charge. Check your vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls to see if your bus is affected.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 19V526Blue Bird Body Company

Component: STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT
Problem: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Vision and All American school buses equipped with Specialty Manufacturing Prolo roof emergency exit hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
Risk: If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and Specialty dealers will replace the outer handle, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R19AF - SB.
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.

Affected vehicles

Blue Bird ALL American	2018 2019
Blue Bird ALL American School Bus	2020
Blue Bird Vision	2018 2019
Blue Bird Vision School Bus	2020