Recall 12V217 covers 651 2010-2013 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses with crossed air brake lines. Free repair at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 651 2010-2013 Vision and All American school buses with air brakes because the primary and secondary brake lines were installed incorrectly at the brake treadle valve. In a brake system problem, that routing can reduce or eliminate brake action and increase crash 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 air brake treadle valve on 2010-2013 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses is the foot-pedal valve for the service brakes. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the valve meters compressed air from the brake reservoirs into the brake system so the bus slows in a controlled way. The primary and secondary air brake lines are separate circuits that help the system meet air-brake safety requirements.
On affected buses, those primary and secondary air brake lines were crossed at the treadle valve. That means the lines were connected to the wrong ports during installation. The brakes are still air brakes, but the plumbing does not match the required configuration under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121.
The recall filing does not identify a driver-visible symptom before the crossed lines are found. There is no warning sign before failure. A Blue Bird dealer can inspect the treadle valve connections and correct the air line routing.
Who's affected?
Vision and All American buses use the same air-brake component across the 2010-2013 model years.
| 2012 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2013 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2011 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| Units affected | 651 |
A matching model year and model name does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrectly installed air brake lines can reduce brake action or leave the bus with no brake action during a brake system problem, increasing crash risk. If the driver notices a brake system problem, take the bus out of service and contact the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2013 Blue Bird Vision or All American bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer and ask whether the free air-brake-line repair is ready for your bus.
- Reference recall number 12V217 when you call so the dealer can find the correct brake treadle valve inspection and repair.
- Bring the owner notice if Blue Bird mailed one, plus any service records tied to the air brake system.
- Avoid using the bus for passenger service until the dealer confirms the crossed air brake lines have been inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician checks the primary and secondary air brake lines at the brake treadle valve and corrects any crossed line routing covered by recall 12V217. Blue Bird's remedy says dealers repair the buses free of charge, and the recall began on May 23, 2012. If your VIN is included, ask the Blue Bird dealer or service facility to confirm the brake line repair is complete before the bus returns to service.
Timeline
| May 15, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V217?
Recall 12V217 covers 651 2010-2013 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses equipped with air brakes. The primary and secondary air-brake lines were crossed at the brake treadle valve, which can reduce or eliminate brake action during a brake system problem and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2010-2013 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V217. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the air-brake-line repair. Reference recall number 12V217 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Blue Bird dealers will repair the affected buses free of charge. Blue Bird listed 1-478-822-2242 for owner questions about recall 12V217.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced or complete loss of brake action during a brake system problem. On a school bus, that increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Blue Bird dealer repair before returning the bus to regular service.
When did Blue Bird start the recall repair?
Blue Bird began the recall on May 23, 2012. Because that date has passed, owners should use the VIN check to confirm whether their specific 2010-2013 Vision or All American bus still has an open repair under recall 12V217.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V217000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V217 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V217000 |
Source documents
-
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →