Recall 15V294 affects 34 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American buses for crankcase vent tube detachment. Repair is free through Cummins service centers.
Blue Bird is recalling 34 2009-2016 All American rear-engine non-school buses with Cummins Westport ISL G engines because excessive crankcase pressure can detach the vent tube elbow from the crankcase ventilation breather. Detached ventilation hardware allows engine oil to reach hot surfaces, increasing fire risk, 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 rear engine non school buses in this recall use certain Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas engines. The engine has an open crankcase ventilation breather, a filter that separates most engine oil from pressurized combustion gases that escape the crankcase during normal operation. A vent tube attached to that breather routes those gases down toward the bottom of the engine.
The problem starts when crankcase pressure rises too high. Blue Bird traced the known incidents to a cracked piston, which lets excess pressure build inside the engine. Under that pressure, the barbs on the breather exit tube do not hold the 90-degree elbow tightly enough. The elbow can detach, and oil carried with the gases can reach hot engine surfaces.
Before the tube separates, operators can notice a loss of engine power, amber or red engine diagnostic lamps on the instrument cluster, or erratic engine operation. Treat those signs as reason to stop using the bus and arrange dealer service.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 model years of the All American bus line, all tied to the same engine component.
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Engine |
| Units affected | 34 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Engine oil on a hot surface raises the risk of a fire. High crankcase pressure can bring loss of engine power, amber or red engine diagnostic lamps, or erratic engine operation. If you see those signs, stop when safe and contact the dealer. 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 Cummins Inc. to schedule the free vent-tube elbow securing and ECM software repair that limits crankcase pressure and engine-oil fire risk.
- Reference recall number 15V294 and Blue Bird recall R15YE-NSB when you call.
- Bring any owner notice and service records to the repair appointment.
- Avoid unnecessary operation until the repair is complete, and take the bus out of service if engine oil is present near hot engine surfaces.
What happens at the repair
At the service center, technicians secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogram the electronic control module (ECM). The updated software adjusts engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressure. Parts and labor are free under recall 15V294. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file for this recall. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall work, ask Blue Bird customer service or the service center how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 19, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 19, 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 15V294?
Recall 15V294 covers 34 2009-2016 Blue Bird All American rear-engine non school buses with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excess crankcase pressure can detach a 90-degree vent-tube elbow, letting engine oil reach hot surfaces and increasing fire risk. The repair is free.
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 15V294. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer or Cummins service center to schedule the repair. Reference Blue Bird recall number R15YE-NSB when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost. For recall 15V294, Cummins service centers secure the 90-degree elbow ends and reprogram the electronic control module free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 15V294 is fire. Excess crankcase pressure can detach part of the vent tube assembly, which lets engine oil contact hot engine surfaces. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair before keeping the bus in regular service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V294000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V294 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V294000 |
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 →