Recall 15V293 affects 840 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American school buses for vent tube detachment that lets oil reach hot surfaces. Cummins repairs are free.
Blue Bird is recalling 840 2009-2016 All American school buses because excessive engine crankcase pressure can detach a 90-degree vent-tube elbow and allow engine oil to reach hot surfaces. If that oil contacts a hot surface, the fire risk increases, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American buses in this recall use a Cummins Westport ISL G compressed natural gas engine with an open crankcase ventilation breather. That breather acts like an oil separator: it filters most of the engine oil out of pressurized gases that escape from the crankcase during normal operation. A vent tube assembly then routes those gases down toward the bottom of the engine.
The problem starts when engine crankcase pressure gets too high. In the known incidents, Blue Bird traced that pressure mainly to a cracked piston. Under that pressure, the barbs on the breather exit tube do not hold the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly securely. The elbow can detach from the breather, letting engine oil reach hot engine surfaces.
A driver or technician can see warning signs before the tube separates. Watch for loss of engine power, amber or red engine diagnostic lamps on the instrument cluster, or erratic engine operation.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 model years, all tied to the same engine component.
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| Units affected | 840 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Engine oil on a hot surface increases the risk of a fire. High crankcase pressure can also bring loss of engine power, amber or red engine diagnostic lamps, or erratic engine operation. If those signs appear, pull over where safe and arrange service before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Contact Blue Bird customer service or a Cummins service center to schedule the free repair.
- Schedule the vent-tube elbow securing and ECM software update that limits crankcase pressure and helps keep engine oil off hot surfaces.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird or Cummins sent one. If not, reference recall number 15V293 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of passenger service until the repair is complete if engine oil is contacting hot surfaces or the engine area shows oil from the vent tube assembly.
What happens at the repair
At a Cummins service center, the technician secures the ends of the 90-degree elbow on the crankcase vent tube assembly, then reprograms the electronic control module with software that adjusts engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressure. The repair is free under the recall. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for this repair before the recall work, contact Blue Bird customer service to ask how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 19, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 19, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| June 19, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 19, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V293?
Recall 15V293 covers 840 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American rear engine school buses with Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive crankcase pressure can detach the 90-degree vent tube elbow, allowing engine oil to contact hot surfaces and increasing fire risk.
What should I do if my 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V293. If it is, contact Blue Bird or Cummins to arrange the repair at a Cummins service center. Reference recall number 15V293 and Blue Bird recall number R15YE-SB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety defect repair at no cost, and Blue Bird's recall remedy states that the repairs are free. Cummins service centers secure the 90-degree elbow ends and reprogram the electronic control module software.
Is it safe to drive a 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American with this recall?
Recall 15V293 does not carry a do-not-drive instruction, but the fire risk is real if engine oil reaches a hot surface. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Cummins service center repair before keeping the bus in regular service.
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, then contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins with recall number 15V293 to confirm the repair path.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V293000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V293 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V293000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →