Blue Bird Escape / Egress / Exit Recall 19V526000 (1,737 Vehicles)

The 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."

The 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.

The fix

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.

Contacts

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.

What to do

Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
Call a dealer. Any authorized Blue Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 19V526000.
Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Grade
2018 Blue Bird All American	0	19	F
2019 Blue Bird All American	2	26	F
2020 Blue Bird All American	0	24	F
2018 Blue Bird Vision	0	35	D
2019 Blue Bird Vision	0	41	D
2020 Blue Bird Vision	0	36	D

Vehicle

Complaints

Recalls

Grade

2018 Blue Bird All American

2019 Blue Bird All American

2020 Blue Bird All American

2018 Blue Bird Vision

2019 Blue Bird Vision

2020 Blue Bird Vision

Questions

Is the 19V526000 recall repair free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix safety recalls free of charge. Blue Bird Body Company's dealers do the work; the remedy is described above.

How do I know if my vehicle is part of recall 19V526000?

Not every vehicle of a listed model year is included. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call a dealer with your VIN.

When was recall 19V526000 announced?

Blue Bird Body Company reported it to NHTSA on July 12, 2019. Owners are usually notified by mail within about two months.

Structure: escape / egress / exit Blue Bird recall