Recall 15V731 affects 90 2007-2015 Blue Bird Vision, All American, and Micro Bird buses for wheelchair-lift link-arm defects. Repair is free.
Blue Bird is recalling 90 2007-2015 Vision, All American, and Micro Bird transit buses with Ricon wheelchair lifts because oversized folding-link arm pivot holes can let bearings move out of position. If that happens, the stowed platform can move excessively and fail at its mounting, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on 2007-2015 Blue Bird Vision, All American, and Micro Bird buses uses folding link arms to move and support the lift platform. Those arms pivot on bearings, which are round supports that let the arms rotate smoothly while keeping the platform controlled as it is raised, lowered, or stowed.
On the affected Ricon S-Series lifts, the pivot holes in the folding link arms were manufactured too large on some units. When the hole is oversized, the bearing can shift out of its proper position. That extra movement creates free play in the stowed platform and puts more load on the platform mounting. Left unchecked, the mounting can fail.
The warning sign is visible during inspection: the bearing has moved out of position. A driver or owner is not expected to feel this from the seat, so have the lift inspected if the bus is included in recall 15V731.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Blue Bird bus models across the 2007-2015 model years, all tied to adaptive mobility equipment.
| 2008 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2010 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Blue Bird Vision | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Blue Bird All American | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Blue Bird Micro Bird | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Blue Bird Micro Bird | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Blue Bird Micro Bird | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Blue Bird Micro Bird | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Blue Bird Micro Bird | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 90 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
If the lift bearings move out of position, the stowed platform can move excessively and the platform mounting can fail. When the doors open, the lift platform can fall out of the vehicle and injure the operator. A displaced bearing is visible during inspection. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2015 Blue Bird Vision, All American, or Micro Bird is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free Ricon wheelchair-lift inspection and replacement service.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird sent one. Reference recall number 15V731 when you call.
- Keep lift operators and passengers clear of the stowed platform area until the link-arm bearings, platform cracks, and damaged lift parts are inspected.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician inspects the Ricon wheelchair lift link arms for damage and displaced bearings, then checks the platform for cracks. Any damaged lift parts are replaced free under the recall. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for related lift repairs before the recall work. Bring prior repair documentation to the service desk or contact Blue Bird customer service to ask how the plan applies to your repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 4, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 30, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| November 30, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 30, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 1, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V731?
Recall 15V731 covers 90 2007-2015 Blue Bird Vision, All American, and Micro Bird buses with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. Oversized pivot holes in the folding link arms can let bearings move out of position. Blue Bird and Ricon dealers inspect the lift and replace damaged parts for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2015 Blue Bird Vision, All American, or Micro Bird is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V731. If it is, contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884 to arrange the wheelchair lift inspection and any covered part replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy says damaged wheelchair lift parts will be replaced free of charge. The inspection checks the link arms, bearings, and platform for damage.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is lift platform mounting failure. If the bearings move out of position, the stowed wheelchair lift platform can move excessively and fall out of the bus when the doors are opened, increasing injury risk for the lift operator.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall began on December 1, 2015. Because the remedy is available, included buses can receive the Ricon wheelchair lift inspection now, with damaged link arms, bearings, or cracked platform parts replaced free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V731000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V731 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V731000 |
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →