VehicleVerdict

1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Wanderlodge years?

See all Wanderlodge years to avoid →

Does the 1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge have recalls?

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

02V277003OtherNovember 5, 2002 · 173 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 1200LR AND 1200RIM WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 700000 AND 1008700 AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 1996 AND FEBRUARY 1999. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE LIQUID SOLUTION SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE SEALED, PRESSURIZED COOLING UNIT THROUGH A SMALL CRACK.

Consequence

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUALLY OPERATED, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COOLING UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005.

02V154000TransmissionJune 13, 2002 · 436 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TOUR COACHES, A 'CHECK TRANS' WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS REQUIRED BY ALLISON TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WAS OMITTED. IN THE EVENT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONS (LOOSES POWER OR SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT), THE COMPUTER WILL STOP ACCEPTING INPUT FROM THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR UNIT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE HELD IN THE LAST VALID RANGE SELECTED. ALTHOUGH THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE SELECTED DISPLAY ON THE SHIFT SELECTOR WILL BE BLANK OR A DASH, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT A MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT AND REMAIN IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A "CHECK TRANS" WARNING LIGHT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

00V126000Trailer HitchMay 5, 2000 · 195 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME COACHES. THE TRAILER HITCH MAY BE INADEQUATELY WELDED TO THE CHASSIS FRAME.

Consequence

PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT THE TRAILER HITCH SEPARATES FROM THE CHASSIS FRAME WHILE TOWING A TRAILER OR OTHER VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, REWELD THE TRAILER HITCH PROPERLY.

99V162000SuspensionJune 29, 1999 · 204 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH RIDEWELL TAG AXLES. SOME OF THE RIDEWELL TAG AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES HAVE THE BRAKE S-CAMS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING THE BRAKE S-CAM AND IF FOUND INCORRECT, INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORRECTION OF THE S-CAM INSTALLATION.

98V167002OtherJuly 22, 1998 · 379 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, MODEL 431-3 ZONE WITH ENGINE LOOP. FIBERGLASS INSULATING MATERIAL LOCATED UNDER THE BURNER HEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HEATER ENCLOSURE, CAN BECOME SOAKED WITH FLUIDS (ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND/OR DIESEL FUEL).

Consequence

IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION FROM BENEATH THE DIESEL HEATING UNIT AS WELL AS FROM BEHIND THE CONTROL THERMOSTAT AND AIR-CONDITIONING HEATING ELEMENT ACCESS COVERS.

1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge — common questions

Is the 1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Blue Bird Wanderlodge. 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.