VehicleVerdict

1996 Blue Bird All American problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1996 Blue Bird All American — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other All American years?

All American NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted182 complaints1963: 0 complaints1964: 0 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 182 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 5 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 2 complaints
All American NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all All American years to avoid →

Does the 1996 Blue Bird All American have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V185000OtherJuly 15, 2002 · 408 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THIS STANDARD REQUIRES SPECIFIC LABELING FOR "ENGINE START" AND "ENGINE STOP." THE WORDING OF THE LABELS ON THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THE OPERATOR COULD PLACE THE ENGINE SWITCH IN A POSITION OTHER THAN THAT INTENDED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

98V153000Speed ControlJuly 2, 1998 · 1,896 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES. MOVEMENT OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE IN THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET RUBS A GROOVE IN THE BRACKET. THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THIS GROOVE PREVENTING THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence

THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO DISCONNECT THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

96V180000SteeringSeptember 23, 1996 · 194 units

Defect

THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH A CRIMPED END FITTING WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.

Consequence

THE END FITTING CAN BLOW-OFF RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING CAUSING INSUFFICIENT STEERING CONTROL WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FOR THE SUSPECT HOSES (IDENTIFIABLE BY DATE CODE) AND REPLACE HOSES AS NECESSARY.

96V112000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1996 · 11,222 units

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.

96V073000Body & StructureMay 3, 1996 · 18,000 units

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.

95V150000Body & StructureAugust 7, 1995 · 2,557 units

Defect

THE FLOOR LINE HANDRAIL BRACKET CAN EXPAND DURING USE AND CREATE AN OPENING WHICH COULD ENTRAP COAT STRINGS, ETC. AND OTHER ARTICLES OF CLOTHING.

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 COULD BE DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLAT SPLIT FLOOR LINE BRACKET WITH A ROUND TUBULAR BRACKET.

1996 Blue Bird All American — common questions

Is the 1996 Blue Bird All American reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1996 Blue Bird All American have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Blue Bird All American. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.