Recall 10V290 covers 103 2008-2010 Blue Bird All American, Excel 102, and Vision buses for cracking fuel lines. Repair is free at authorized Caterpillar dealers.
Blue Bird is recalling 103 2008-2010 All American, Excel 102, and Vision non school buses equipped with Caterpillar C7 engines because the #5 and #6 fuel lines can crack at the common fuel rail and leak fuel. A fuel leak near an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire, and the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The number 5 and number 6 fuel lines on the Caterpillar C7 engine carry fuel from the common fuel rail to the engine. The common fuel rail is the shared pressurized tube that holds fuel before it is sent where the engine needs it. On 2008-2010 Blue Bird All American, Excel 102, and Vision non school buses, those lines are part of the engine fuel system.
On affected buses, the number 5 and number 6 fuel lines crack where they fasten to the common fuel rail. That fastening point is the reported failure area. Once a crack opens there, fuel escapes instead of staying inside the rail and line, causing a fuel leak around the engine.
There is no warning sign before failure in the recall information provided. Owners or maintenance staff should treat any visible fuel, fuel smell, or unexplained wetness around the engine fuel rail as a reason to stop and have the bus inspected.
Who's affected?
Covers All American, Excel 102, and Vision buses from the 2008-2010 model years, all tied to engine and engine cooling.
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2009 Blue Bird Excel 102 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Blue Bird Vision | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Blue Bird Vision | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Blue Bird Vision | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Blue Bird Excel 102 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Blue Bird Excel 102 | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 103 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak near an ignition source can start a vehicle fire. Because no warning sign is listed, confirm your VIN and arrange the recall repair promptly. If you smell fuel or see leaking fuel, park safely and contact the dealer before driving again. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 Blue Bird All American, Excel 102, or Vision is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird or an authorized Caterpillar dealer to confirm the current repair process for the cracked C7 engine fuel lines.
- Reference recall number 10V290 when you call so the service desk can find the fuel-line recall.
- Schedule the free repair for the #5 and #6 fuel lines, which can crack at the common fuel rail and leak fuel.
- Keep the bus away from ignition sources if you see or smell a fuel leak, and ask the dealer before driving it in for service.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Caterpillar dealer, the technician addresses the fuel-line defect covered by campaign 10V290. The source filing identifies the #5 and #6 fuel lines at the common fuel rail, where cracking can cause a fuel leak. The filing says Blue Bird worked with Caterpillar to notify owners and that authorized Caterpillar dealers perform the recall repair free of charge. It also says the safety recall began on September 9, 2010. Contact Blue Bird or the Caterpillar dealer before bringing the bus in so the service desk can confirm the recall procedure and parts path.
Timeline
| June 28, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V290?
Recall 10V290 covers 103 2008-2010 Blue Bird All American, Excel 102, and Vision non-school buses with Caterpillar C7 engines. The number 5 and number 6 fuel lines can crack at the common fuel rail fastening point and leak fuel, creating a fire risk under NHTSA campaign 10V290.
What should I do if my 2008-2010 Blue Bird All American, Excel 102, or Vision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V290. If it is, contact Blue Bird or Caterpillar to arrange the fuel-line repair with an authorized Caterpillar dealer. Reference recall number 10V290 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Blue Bird and Caterpillar will have authorized Caterpillar dealers perform the recall repair free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost when your VIN is included in recall 10V290.
What is the safety risk from recall 10V290?
The safety risk is fire. Under NHTSA campaign 10V290, cracked number 5 and number 6 fuel lines can leak fuel near the Caterpillar C7 engine. If leaking fuel reaches an ignition source, it can result in a vehicle fire.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V290000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-800-447-4986 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V290 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V290000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (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 →