Recall 14V313 covers 1,935 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American school buses for heater-hose rupture risk. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 1,935 2008-2013 All American rear engine school buses because the heater hose can rupture and send hot coolant into the passenger compartment. That leak increases the risk of passenger injury, and the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American school bus uses the engine cooling system to move coolant through the engine and heater circuit. The thermostat is the valve that controls coolant flow as the engine warms up, and the heater hose carries hot coolant toward the heater that warms the passenger compartment.
On affected buses, the thermostat design puts the heater hose at risk of rupturing. When that hose breaks, pressurized hot coolant escapes instead of staying inside the cooling system. The official concern is that hot coolant can enter the passenger compartment, where students or other occupants are seated.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the bus smells like coolant, shows steam, has wet flooring, or loses cabin heat, the cooling system has already opened and needs service.
Who's affected?
One bus line is listed across 6 model years, and every listed year points to the cooling system.
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Cooling system |
| Units affected | 1,935 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Hot coolant leaking into the passenger compartment puts passengers at risk of injury. If you see coolant inside the bus or passengers report heat or fluid near the heater area, keep them away from that area and call the dealer for recall service. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 to confirm the free repair path for your bus.
- Schedule the thermostat replacement and passenger compartment heater supply hose change that fixes the hot-coolant leak risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V313 when you call.
- Keep passengers out of the affected compartment area if coolant leakage, steam, or heater-hose damage appears before repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician replaces the thermostat and changes the passenger compartment heater supply hose. The work addresses the heater hose rupture risk described in recall 14V313, where hot coolant can enter the passenger compartment. The repair is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Blue Bird began the recall on July 15, 2014, so ask the service desk to confirm the VIN and schedule the recall work through the Blue Bird dealer process.
Timeline
| June 11, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V313?
Recall 14V313 covers 1,935 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American rear engine school buses with a thermostat design problem that can rupture a heater hose and let hot coolant enter the passenger compartment. Blue Bird dealers replace the thermostat and change the passenger compartment heater supply hose for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V313. If it is, contact a Blue Bird dealer to schedule the thermostat replacement and heater supply hose change. Reference recall number 14V313 and Blue Bird recall number R14XF when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Blue Bird's remedy states that dealers replace the thermostat and change the passenger compartment heater supply hose free of charge. The repair applies through the recall process, regardless of where the bus was first purchased.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V313?
Hot coolant can leak into the passenger compartment and injure passengers. The problem starts with the thermostat design, which can allow a heater hose to rupture. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free Blue Bird dealer repair before returning the bus to regular service.
What if I bought the Blue Bird All American used?
The recall follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you bought the bus used and never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether it is included in recall 14V313. Blue Bird customer service is also available at 1-478-822-2242.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V313000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V313 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V313000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →