Recall 11V424 covers 24 2011-2012 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses for DOC/DPF clamp failure. Repair is free at authorized Cummins dealers.
Blue Bird is recalling 24 2011-2012 Vision and All American non-school buses under recall 11V424 because a V-band clamp T-bolt on Cummins diesel exhaust equipment can fracture. If the clamp loosens, hot exhaust gases can vent before the tailpipe and raise the risk of combustion or fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2011-2012 Blue Bird Vision and All American non-school buses use a V-band clamp assembly in the diesel exhaust system. That clamp holds the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter, the exhaust components that help clean diesel exhaust before it leaves the bus. The clamp has to stay tight while the exhaust system heats, cools, and moves under load.
On these buses, the clamp assembly includes a T-bolt that fractures when it is stressed. Once that bolt breaks, the clamp loses its grip. The inlet or outlet section attached to the diesel oxidation catalyst or diesel particulate filter housing then separates from the housing instead of staying sealed in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing does not identify a dashboard light, sound, smell, or drivability change that reliably appears before the clamp loosens or the exhaust section disconnects.
Who's affected?
Spans the Vision and All American bus lines across the 2011 and 2012 model years, with the same engine and engine cooling component for each.
| 2012 Blue Bird Vision | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Blue Bird Vision | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 24 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Hot exhaust gases that vent before the tailpipe can create combustion and fire risk. If both clamps fail, the DOC/DPF housing can detach and create a road hazard. Have the exhaust aftertreatment clamps checked promptly, and keep the bus out of service if exhaust parts are loose. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Blue Bird Vision or All American is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird or Cummins to confirm the owner notice and repair routing for recall number 11V424.
- Schedule the free V-band clamp repair with an authorized Cummins dealer so the DOC/DPF exhaust sections stay secured.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird or Cummins mailed one, or give the dealer recall number 11V424 when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus until the repair is complete if you notice exhaust noise, heat, or looseness near the DOC/DPF housing.
What happens at the repair
The remedy route is through authorized Cummins dealers working with Blue Bird. The dealer addresses the Cummins diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment hardware covered by recall 11V424, specifically the V-band clamp assembly that secures the inlet and outlet cone sections to the DOC/DPF housing. The source remedy does not spell out each repair step, but it states that the recall repairs are performed free of charge by authorized Cummins dealers. Have the service desk confirm the open recall by VIN before the bus is brought in for repair.
Timeline
| August 17, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 10, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V424?
Recall 11V424 covers 24 2011-2012 Blue Bird Vision and All American non-school buses with Cummins diesel engines. A V-band clamp T-bolt on the DOC/DPF exhaust assembly can fracture, letting hot exhaust vent near the system or letting the housing detach and become a road hazard.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 11V424. If it is, contact Blue Bird or an authorized Cummins dealer and reference recall 11V424. The repair is free through authorized Cummins dealers.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's recall remedy states that authorized Cummins dealers perform this repair free of charge. The recall repair began on October 10, 2011.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire and road debris from the exhaust aftertreatment system. If the clamp loosens, hot exhaust gases can vent before the tailpipe and create a combustion or fire risk. If both clamps fail, the DOC/DPF housing can detach and become a road hazard.
What if I bought the Blue Bird bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included, then give recall 11V424 to Blue Bird or the authorized Cummins dealer when you arrange service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V424000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-812-377-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V424 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V424000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →