Recall 10V137 covers 5 2010 Blue Bird All American buses with wheelchair lifts that overrun floor level. Repair is free through authorized Ricon dealers.
Blue Bird recalled 5 2010 All American transit buses with Ricon S Series and K Series L-Model wheelchair lifts because the lift can keep moving upward after the operator releases the switch. The platform can pass the floor-level cutoff and stop at an angle, creating a fall or tip-over injury risk; the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on the 2010 Blue Bird All American bus is the platform that raises a passenger using a wheelchair from ground level to the bus floor. Its control software watches the operator's "up" switch and a floor level limit switch, which tells the system when the platform has reached the correct height. At that point, the lift is supposed to stop at floor level.
On buses equipped with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-model lifts, the software does not stop the upward motion at the right moment in a specific control sequence. If the operator releases the "up" switch before the floor level limit switch is activated, the platform continues moving upward for about 1 second. That extra travel overruns the floor level cut off point instead of stopping cleanly at the bus floor.
There is no warning sign before failure. The operator's clue is the lift continuing to rise after the "up" switch has been released.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5 |
Not every 2010 Blue Bird All American bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the lift platform overruns the vehicle floor and stops at an angle, a wheelchair user can tip over and a person standing on the platform can fall, causing injuries. Use the lift only with careful attention to proper operation until the repair is completed. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird or Ricon before scheduling service; the recall remedy listed interim lift-operation guidance while Ricon worked on the software fix.
- Use the wheelchair lift only with the Blue Bird and Ricon operating bulletin and training aid until the software repair is confirmed for your bus.
- Reference recall number 10V137 when you call about the lift software that allows the platform to travel past the vehicle floor level.
- Keep passengers clear of the wheelchair lift platform unless trained staff are operating it under the recall instructions.
What happens at the repair
Blue Bird's interim process is owner training while Ricon finishes the software fix. Owners receive a bulletin on proper wheelchair lift operation and a DVD-based training aid at no cost. Once the software remedy is available, the repair is performed free through an authorized Ricon dealer. Ask the Blue Bird service contact how to route the bus for that Ricon repair and keep following the lift-operation bulletin until the software update is complete.
Timeline
| April 5, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 4, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V137?
Recall 10V137 covers 5 2010 Blue Bird All American transit buses with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-model wheelchair lifts. The lift software can let the platform travel past the vehicle floor level after the up switch is released, creating a fall or tip-over risk.
What should I do if my 2010 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V137. If it is, contact Blue Bird or an authorized Ricon dealer for the wheelchair-lift repair path. Reference recall 10V137 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Blue Bird said authorized Ricon dealers would perform the recall repair free of charge. The source remedy also said Ricon would provide an operation bulletin and DVD-based training aid at no cost until the lift software solution was available.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a wheelchair-lift platform that overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at a 15-20 degree angle. A person in a wheelchair can tip over, and someone standing on the platform can fall, resulting in injuries.
When did Blue Bird notify owners about this recall?
Blue Bird said the safety recall began on May 4, 2010. The source remedy said owners would receive repair instructions, plus interim lift-operation guidance and a DVD-based training aid while Ricon developed the software solution.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V137000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-818-267-3000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V137 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V137000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →