Recall 15V059 affects 1,936 2011-2016 Blue Bird All American school buses for exhaust hanger failure. Free repair at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 1,936 2011-2016 All American school buses because exhaust system hangers can fail and damage the SCR and DPF housings. If all hangers fail, those housings can fall onto the roadway, create a road hazard, and raise crash risk; the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On 2011-2016 Blue Bird All American rear engine school buses, the exhaust system hangers hold the exhaust assembly in place under the bus. That exhaust assembly includes the selective catalytic reduction system, or SCR, which treats exhaust gases, and the diesel particulate filter, or DPF, which traps soot before it leaves the tailpipe.
In affected buses, the exhaust hangers fail. Once a hanger lets go, the exhaust system is no longer supported the way it was designed to be. The extra movement and weight put stress on the SCR and DPF housings, leaving those emissions-control housings open to damage.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not wait for a dashboard message, exhaust noise, or visible sagging to decide whether a bus is included in recall 15V059.
Who's affected?
Spans six model years of the All American bus line, with the same exhaust system component listed for each year.
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Exhaust system |
| Units affected | 1,936 |
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?
If all exhaust hangers fail, the housings can fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. Until the repair is complete, have any loose exhaust housing inspected before the bus returns to service. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Wait for Blue Bird's owner notice for this VIN before scheduling the dealer repair.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer for the free exhaust-hanger repair once Blue Bird confirms the repair path for your bus.
- Reference recall number 15V059 and Blue Bird recall R15YB-SB when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus with loose or damaged exhaust hangers until the new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables are installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables for the exhaust system. That work is meant to keep failed hangers from damaging the Selective Catalytic Reduction and Diesel Particulate Filter housings. Blue Bird says the repair is free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015, but the current remedy status is not listed here, so confirm scheduling with a Blue Bird dealer before moving the bus in for service.
Timeline
| February 3, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V059?
Recall 15V059 covers 1,936 2011-2016 Blue Bird All American rear engine school buses with exhaust system hangers that can fail and damage the SCR and DPF housings. Blue Bird dealers will install new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V059. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule installation of the new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables. Reference recall number 15V059 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy provides new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables free of charge through a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that failed exhaust hangers damage the SCR and DPF housings. If the hangers fail, those housings can fall onto the roadway, creating a road hazard and increasing crash risk. The free dealer repair adds new bolted hanger assemblies and support cables.
When did Blue Bird start this recall repair?
Blue Bird began the recall repair on March 6, 2015. If your bus has not had the repair completed, check your VIN and schedule the free hanger assembly and support cable installation with a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V059000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V059 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V059000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →