Recall 15V118 affects 40 2016 Blue Bird All American buses for steering-shaft clamp interference. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 40 2016 All American transit buses because a steering shaft clamp can contact the rubber boot at the floor. That interference can make the bus harder to steer and increase the risk of a crash, and the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering shaft on the 2016 Blue Bird All American is the mechanical link that carries the driver's steering input from the wheel down through the floor area to the steering gear. A rubber boot at the floor seals that opening and helps keep dirt, water, and road spray out of the cabin and steering pass-through area.
On affected buses, a clamp on the steering shaft sits close enough to touch that rubber boot. As the steering shaft turns, the clamp can rub against the boot instead of clearing it. That contact can damage the boot and interfere with clean movement in the steering shaft area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing does not list a specific noise, warning light, or steering feel that appears first, so owners and fleet operators should treat the VIN result as the deciding factor.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 40 |
Not every 2016 Blue Bird All American bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Extra steering effort can make the bus harder to control and increase the risk of a crash if the steering shaft clamp contacts the rubber boot. Until repaired, schedule service promptly and avoid delaying if steering feels heavier than normal. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 to confirm current repair instructions and reference recall number 15V118.
- Ask a franchised Blue Bird dealer about the free steering-shaft clamp repair that moves the rubber boot away from the clamp and installs a new steering shaft clamp.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one, or give the dealer recall number 15V118 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra room for turns if steering effort increases.
What happens at the repair
Blue Bird has described the dealer repair for campaign 15V118 as relocating the rubber boot and installing a new steering shaft clamp so the clamp no longer contacts the boot at the floor. Once the repair is available for your bus, a Blue Bird technician performs that work free of charge. The owner notice for this recall began on March 25, 2015, but the VIN still decides whether a specific All American bus is included. Ask the service desk to confirm that this steering shaft clamp repair applies before work starts.
Timeline
| February 27, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 25, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V118?
Recall 15V118 covers 40 2016 Blue Bird All American transit buses with a steering shaft clamp that can contact the rubber boot at the floor. If that happens, the bus can require extra steering effort, increasing crash risk. Blue Bird dealers relocate the boot and install a new clamp for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V118. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the steering repair. Reference recall number 15V118 or Blue Bird recall R14XE when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Blue Bird dealers relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is harder steering. If the steering shaft clamp contacts the rubber boot at the floor, the driver needs additional effort to steer the bus. That increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Blue Bird dealer repair.
When did the Blue Bird recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on March 25, 2015. Blue Bird dealers were directed to relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp at no charge. If you manage or own one of these buses, confirm the VIN before assuming the work was completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V118000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V118 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V118000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →