Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1999 Blue Bird Conventional — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO MEET THE 60 PERCENT JOINT STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ROOF MAY NOT BE SUPPORTED SUFFICIENTLY, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY TO BUS OCCUPANTS.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO INSPECT EACH ROOF JOINT. OWNERS WILL INSTALL REPAIR RIVETS IN EACH JOINT FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF RIVETS IN EACH EXAMINED 8 INCH SECTION.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE WALL SIDE ATTACHING BOLTS FOR SOME OF THE PASSENGER SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE SEAT LEDGE AND IN THE WRONG ATTACHING HOLE RESULTING IN WEAKENING OF THE SEAT LEDGE AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE REAR ATTACHING BOLT OF THESE SEATS COULD PULL OUT OF THE SEAT LEDGE INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT ATTACHMENT AT THE WALL SIDE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MOUNTED ON CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTION FOR THREE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY CABLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED PROPERLY ALLOWING THE CABLE TO BE CHAFED OR PINCHED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE POSITIVE CABLE TO SHORT OUT CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL PLUG THE HOLE IN THE BACK OF THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN CLAMP. A NEW HOLE WILL BE ADDED DIRECTLY BELOW THE REARMOST BATTERY CABLE HOLE AND THE POSITIVE CABLE WILL BE RE-ROUTED THROUGH THE NEW HOLE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES MOUNTED ON NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE STANDARD CROSS VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."
Consequence
THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.
Remedy
BLUE BIRD WILL FURNISH TO DISTRIBUTORS AND OWNERS, PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS NECESSARY TO MODIFY THE CROSS VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLIES.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Blue Bird Conventional. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.