Recall 13V011 covers 53 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE transit buses for steering gear bracket cracks. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 53 2007-2009 L4RE transit buses because cracks can form in the steering gear bracket or in the bus frame around the steering gear bolts. If the steering gear partially separates from the frame, the driver can lose steering control, increasing crash risk, and the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power steering gear on a 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE bus helps turn the front wheels by adding hydraulic assist to the driver's steering input. The gear is bolted to the bus frame through a mounting bracket, so steering force has a solid path from the steering wheel into the front axle.
On affected buses, the steering gear attachment is defective. Cracks develop in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the frame, or in the bus frame around the bolts that hold the bracket. As those cracks grow, the steering gear loses the solid support it needs, and steering loads are no longer carried through the frame as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, looseness, or a dashboard light to appear before the attachment problem becomes serious.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2007, 2008, and 2009 model years, with body structure and steering components listed separately.
| 2008 Blue Bird L4RE | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2008 Blue Bird L4RE | steering system |
| 2009 Blue Bird L4RE | body or structural component |
| 2009 Blue Bird L4RE | steering system |
| 2007 Blue Bird L4RE | body or structural component |
| 2007 Blue Bird L4RE | steering system |
| Units affected | 53 |
The year and model narrow the group, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Cracks in the steering gear mounting area can spread until the steering gear partly separates from the bus frame. That can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. If your bus is included, schedule the inspection and repair with the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer and ask whether the free inspection and repair is open for your bus.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the steering-gear bracket and bus frame for cracks near the power steering gear.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V011 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service until the steering attachment has been inspected or repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician inspects the steering gear attachment, including the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame and the frame area around the steering gear bracket bolts. If cracks or damaged attachment points are found, the dealer repairs the bus at no charge. Owner notification began during March 2013, but the remedy status is not listed here, so the dealer repair will be free once Blue Bird confirms availability for the VIN.
Timeline
| January 11, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V011?
Recall 13V011 covers 53 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE transit buses with steering gear attachment defects. Cracks in the steering gear bracket or nearby frame can allow partial separation of the steering gear, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. Dealers will inspect and repair the buses for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V011. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the steering gear bracket and frame inspection. Reference recall number 13V011 when you call. The inspection and repair are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct recall defects at no cost to the owner. For recall 13V011, dealers will inspect the steering gear attachment and repair the bus free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. Recall 13V011 describes cracks in the bracket that secures the power steering gear, or cracks in the bus frame around the attachment bolts. If the steering gear partially separates from the frame, crash risk increases.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V011000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-256-831-4296 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V011 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V011000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (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 →