Recall 14V314 affects 587 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American buses for hoses that leak hot coolant. Repair is free at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 587 2008-2013 All American rear-engine non-school buses because a thermostat design problem can rupture a heater hose and send hot coolant into the passenger compartment. Hot coolant leaking near passengers raises the risk of injury, and the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The cooling system on 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American rear engine non-school buses moves coolant through the engine, thermostat, and heater hoses. The thermostat helps control coolant flow as engine temperature changes. The heater hose carries hot coolant through the heating system so the passenger compartment can be warmed.
On affected buses, the thermostat design puts the heater hose at risk of rupturing. If that hose breaks while hot coolant is under pressure, coolant can enter the passenger compartment instead of staying inside the cooling system. That is the failure Blue Bird reported in recall 14V314.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator should not expect a dashboard light, smell, or visible leak before the hose ruptures.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years, all tied to the same cooling-system hoses, lines, piping, and fittings.
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
|---|---|
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| Units affected | 587 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Hot coolant leaking into the passenger compartment increases the risk of passenger injury. If your VIN is included, keep passengers away from the affected heater area and arrange recall service soon. 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.
- Watch for Blue Bird's owner notice before scheduling the free repair; if you already have the notice, use it when you call.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the thermostat replacement and passenger compartment heater supply hose change that helps prevent hot coolant from entering the passenger area.
- Reference recall number 14V314 and Blue Bird recall R14XF when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Keep passengers away from the heater hose area if hot coolant leaks into the passenger compartment, and arrange service before returning the bus to regular use.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician replaces the thermostat and changes the passenger compartment heater supply hose. That work addresses the heater hose condition tied to hot coolant entering the passenger compartment. Blue Bird says the repair is free, and owner notification began on July 15, 2014. Before arranging service, confirm your VIN and ask the service desk whether the thermostat and heater supply hose parts are ready for your bus.
Timeline
| June 11, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V314?
Recall 14V314 covers 587 2008-2013 Blue Bird All American rear-engine non-school buses with a thermostat design that can rupture a heater hose. Hot coolant can enter the passenger compartment and increase the risk of passenger injury. Blue Bird dealers replace the thermostat and 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 14V314. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the thermostat replacement and passenger compartment heater supply hose change. Reference recall number 14V314 or Blue Bird recall R14XF when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V314, Blue Bird dealers replace the thermostat and change the passenger compartment heater supply hose free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V314?
The safety risk is hot coolant entering the passenger compartment. In recall 14V314, the thermostat design can lead to a heater hose rupture, and hot coolant in the passenger area increases the risk of injury to passengers.
What if I bought this Blue Bird All American used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included in recall 14V314, then contact a Blue Bird dealer and reference Blue Bird recall R14XF.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V314000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V314 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V314000 |
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 →