Recall 15V124 affects 399 2016 Blue Bird All American school buses for steering-shaft clamp interference. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 399 2016 All American school buses because a steering shaft clamp can contact the rubber boot at the floor. If that contact happens, the driver needs more effort to steer, increasing crash risk, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering shaft on the 2016 Blue Bird All American connects the steering wheel to the steering gear that turns the front wheels. A rubber floor boot seal sits where the shaft passes through the floor, keeping that opening sealed while the shaft turns. A clamp on the intermediate steering column shaft is supposed to stay clear of that boot as the steering parts move.
On affected buses, that clamp is positioned so it contacts the rubber boot at the floor. The clamp can tear the boot seal, then interfere with the steering shaft instead of moving freely beside it. When the shaft binds, the driver has to fight extra resistance at the wheel, which makes the bus harder to steer.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once binding starts, the steering wheel can feel stiff, heavy, or harder to turn than normal.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 399 |
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?
Contact between the steering shaft clamp and rubber boot can make the bus harder to steer, which increases crash risk. If steering effort feels higher than normal, stop when safe and arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free steering-shaft clamp repair that moves the rubber boot away from the clamp.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one, or reference recall number 15V124 and Blue Bird recall R14XE when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service if steering effort changes before the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician relocates the rubber boot at the floor so it clears the steering shaft clamp, then installs a new steering shaft clamp. Parts and labor are covered under recall 15V124. The repair is available through Blue Bird dealers, and Blue Bird says the recall began on March 26, 2015. Call Blue Bird Customer Service if the service desk needs the manufacturer recall number, R14XE.
Timeline
| March 3, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 25, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| March 25, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 26, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 26, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V124?
Recall 15V124 covers 399 2016 Blue Bird All American school buses with a steering shaft clamp that can contact the rubber boot at the floor. Blue Bird dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft 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 15V124. If it is, contact a Blue Bird dealer to schedule the steering repair. Reference recall number 15V124 or Blue Bird recall R14XE when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Blue Bird dealers will relocate the rubber boot and install a new steering shaft clamp free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is heavier steering effort if the steering shaft clamp contacts the rubber boot at the floor. That extra steering effort increases crash risk. The fix is a dealer repair that moves the boot and replaces the clamp.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V124000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V124 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V124000 |
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 →