Recall 10V380 affects 466 2007-2011 Blue Bird All American buses for a starter-cable clamp defect. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 466 2007-2011 All American non-school buses because starter cable retaining clamp hardware can loosen near the engine cooling fan. If the cable drops into the fan hub during operation, the covering can abrade and create a direct short, raising the risk of a vehicle fire; the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On 2007-2011 Blue Bird All American buses, the starter cable carries electrical power to the starter so the engine can crank. A retaining clamp holds that cable against a bracket at the front of the engine, above the engine cooling fan. That clamp keeps the cable routed away from moving engine parts.
On affected buses, the bolt for that clamp was assembled with the wrong washer and nut combination. The flat washer keeps the serrated nut from biting into the bracket and locking in place. Over time, the nut backs off, the clamp loses its hold, and the starter cable drops toward the fan hub while the engine is running.
There is no warning sign before failure. The loose fastener and cable position are under the front of the engine, so an owner is not expected to see the problem from the driver's seat before the cable falls.
Who's affected?
The scope runs from the 2007 through 2011 model years, with the same engine and engine cooling component listed for each year.
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 466 |
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?
NHTSA campaign 10V380 reports that starter cable contact with the operating fan hub can wear through the cable covering, create a direct short, and increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Schedule the recall repair soon, and have the bus inspected promptly if cable damage is visible. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2011 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer or Blue Bird customer service to confirm the free repair path for your bus.
- Schedule the starter-cable retaining-clamp hardware repair that keeps the cable away from the fan hub.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V380 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service if the starter cable looks damaged or you smell electrical burning, and ask Blue Bird how to move it for repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician repairs the starter cable retaining clamp hardware at the front of the Cummins engine. The work addresses the washer and serrated nut combination on the bolt that secures the clamp, so the starter cable stays clear of the engine cooling fan. Blue Bird's recall notice says the repair is free and the safety recall began on September 24, 2010. If the final repair is not yet available for your VIN, the dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| August 20, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 24, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V380?
Recall 10V380 covers 466 2007-2011 Blue Bird All American non-school buses with Cummins ISB engines. The starter cable retaining clamp hardware can loosen, letting the cable contact the fan hub. Blue Bird repairs the buses for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2011 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V380. If it is, contact a Blue Bird dealer or service center to schedule the starter cable retaining clamp repair. Reference recall number 10V380 when you call.
Is the Blue Bird All American recall repair free?
Yes. Blue Bird stated that it will repair the affected buses free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost when the vehicle is included in the campaign.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V380?
The risk is a direct electrical short that can lead to a vehicle fire. If the starter cable drops and contacts the fan hub while it is operating, the cable covering can abrade and expose the cable.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V380000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V380 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V380000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →