Recall 12V218 affects 31 2010-2013 Blue Bird All American and Vision buses with crossed air-brake lines. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 31 2010-2013 All American and Vision non-school buses with air brakes under recall 12V218 because the primary and secondary air brake lines were crossed at the brake treadle valve. In a brake system problem, the crossed lines can reduce or eliminate braking action and increase crash risk; the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air brake treadle valve on 2010-2013 Blue Bird All American and Vision buses is the foot-operated valve the driver uses to control braking air pressure. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the valve sends air through the primary and secondary brake circuits so the air brake system responds in the right order.
On affected buses, the primary and secondary air brake lines were crossed at that valve. That means the lines were installed in the wrong positions at a key control point in the brake system. The recall record says this incorrect installation does not meet the required air brake system standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the issue is in how the air lines were connected at the treadle valve, an owner or driver should not rely on a quick walk-around or model year alone to confirm whether the bus is included.
Who's affected?
Spans the All American and Vision bus lines across the 2010-2013 model years, with the brake system involved for each.
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2012 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2013 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2010 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| Units affected | 31 |
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?
Air brake lines installed incorrectly can reduce brake action or cause complete loss of braking during a brake system problem, increasing crash risk. Schedule the repair soon, and stop operating the bus if brake performance changes before service. 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 All American or Vision bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to ask about the free air-brake-line repair.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the brake treadle valve line routing and correct the crossed primary and secondary air brake lines.
- Bring the owner notice mailed on May 23, 2012. If you do not have it, reference recall number 12V218 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep extra following distance because the brake system defect affects brake action during a brake system problem.
What happens at the repair
The recall filing does not list a current remedy status. It says Blue Bird began owner notices on May 23, 2012, and that dealers would repair the buses free of charge. At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician checks the routing of the primary and secondary air brake lines at the brake treadle valve. If the lines were crossed, the technician corrects the installation so the air brake system is routed as intended. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the dealer repair is available for the VIN.
Timeline
| May 15, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V218?
Recall 12V218 covers 31 2010-2013 Blue Bird All American and Vision non-school buses with air-brake lines that were installed incorrectly at the brake treadle valve. Blue Bird dealers will repair the buses free of charge.
What should I do if my 2010-2013 Blue Bird All American or Vision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V218. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the air-brake-line repair. Reference recall number 12V218000 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy states that dealers will repair the buses free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced or lost brake action during a brake system problem, which increases crash risk. The issue involves crossed primary and secondary air-brake lines at the brake treadle valve, so confirm the VIN before the bus stays in service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V218000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V218 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V218000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall 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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →