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Campaign 13V036 Posted February 5, 2013 152 units

2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf Recall 13V036: Steering Bracket

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 13V036 affects 152 2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf buses for steering gear bracket cracks. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.

Blue Bird is recalling 152 2003-2007 Ultra Lf transit buses because cracks can form in the bracket that holds the power steering gear to the frame. If the cracks spread, the steering gear can separate from the bus frame, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The power steering gear on 2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf buses is the steering box that turns driver input at the wheel into movement at the front wheels. A mounting bracket holds that gear tight to the bus frame, so the steering system has a solid base when the driver turns or corrects course.

On these buses, cracks can develop in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the frame. Once the bracket cracks, the steering gear is no longer held as firmly, and steering forces place more stress on the damaged mount. That can reduce steering control because the gear depends on a fixed mounting point to move the wheels accurately.

There is no warning sign before failure. If steering effort changes, the wheel feels loose, or the bus does not respond normally, stop using it and have a Blue Bird dealer inspect the steering gear mount.

Who's affected?

Both the body or structural component and steering system are listed for each included model year.

2005 Blue Bird Ultra Lf body or structural component
2005 Blue Bird Ultra Lf steering system
2004 Blue Bird Ultra Lf body or structural component
2004 Blue Bird Ultra Lf steering system
2003 Blue Bird Ultra Lf body or structural component
Units affected152

The year and model narrow the recall, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

Cracks near the steering gear can spread until the steering gear separates from the bus frame. That separation means the driver loses steering control, which increases crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before failure, so arrange the recall repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-825-2021 to confirm the current repair path for recall number 13V036.
  3. Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to ask about the free reinforcement-plate repair that strengthens the power-steering gear bracket on the bus frame.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one, or give the dealer recall number 13V036 when you schedule.
  5. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop using the bus if steering feel changes or the dealer advises parking it.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs reinforcement plates at the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame. The plates reinforce the mounting area where cracks were reported. Blue Bird began owner notices on March 20, 2013, and the recall remedy covers the dealer repair with no charge for parts or labor. Ask the service desk to confirm the campaign is open for your VIN before the bus is brought in for repair.

Timeline

February 5, 2013 NHTSA published the recall
March 20, 2013 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 13V036?

Recall 13V036 covers 152 2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf transit buses with cracks in the bracket that secures the power steering gear to the bus frame. If the bracket separates, steering control can be lost. Blue Bird dealers install reinforcement plates for free.

What should I do if my 2003-2007 Blue Bird Ultra Lf is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V036. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule installation of the steering gear bracket reinforcement plates. Reference recall 13V036 when you call. The repair is free.

Does the recall repair cost anything?

No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy says dealers install the reinforcement plates free of charge. The free repair applies at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is loss of steering control. NHTSA campaign 13V036 says cracks in the power steering gear bracket can spread until the steering gear separates from the bus frame, increasing crash risk. The repair adds reinforcement plates to secure the bracket.

What if I bought this Blue Bird Ultra Lf used?

The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor an open safety recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Blue Bird dealer and reference recall 13V036 if your bus is included.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V036000
Blue Bird customer service1-478-825-2021
NHTSA recall #13V036
NHTSA recall # (full)13V036000

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 →