Recall 17V100 covers 19,833 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses with battery-box brackets that crack. Free repair at franchised Blue Bird dealers once available.
Blue Bird is recalling 19,833 2015-2018 Vision school buses because support brackets for frame mounted battery boxes can crack and let the battery box separate from the chassis. A detached battery box can become a road hazard and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Blue Bird makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The frame mounted battery box on 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses holds the bus's batteries in a tray attached to the chassis. The support brackets carry that weight and keep the battery box tucked under the body so the cables and batteries stay secured during normal driving.
On affected buses, the existing bracket design is not strong enough for certain frame mounted battery box applications. Stress cracks form in the support brackets, and continued vibration and battery weight can let the cracks spread. If the brackets break, the battery box can drop away from its mounted position and separate from the chassis.
A bus operator or technician has a visible warning sign after a bracket starts failing. If one support bracket completely fails, that side of the battery box hangs below the body skirt line where it can be seen during inspection.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 Vision model years, all tied to the same body or structural component.
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2015 Blue Bird Vision | body or structural component |
| 2016 Blue Bird Vision | body or structural component |
| 2017 Blue Bird Vision | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 19,833 |
| 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.
What's the safety risk?
A detached battery box can fall from the bus and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. If a support bracket fails, one side of the battery box hangs below the body skirt line and becomes visible; treat that as a reason to stop using the bus and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision school bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for Blue Bird's owner notice before scheduling service if the dealer says the repair is not open for your bus.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer and reference recall number 17V100 when you ask about inspection and repair timing.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the frame-mounted battery-box support brackets and repair cracked brackets so the battery box stays secured to the chassis.
- Avoid operating the bus if the battery box looks loose, shifted, or separated from its mounts. Ask Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 for guidance before moving it.
What happens at the repair
Blue Bird has not opened the final dealer repair yet. Once available, a Blue Bird technician will inspect the frame mounted battery box support brackets and repair the bus if the brackets are cracked or related hardware needs correction. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. Blue Bird's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for related battery box support repairs. Keep repair orders, receipts, and payment records, then contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 and ask how to submit documentation under recall R17YY-SB.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 15, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 20, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 20, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V100?
Recall 17V100 covers 19,833 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses with frame-mounted battery box support brackets that can crack and let the battery box separate from the chassis. If the box detaches, it can become a road hazard and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V100. If it is, contact an authorized Blue Bird dealer or Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Reference recall 17V100 and Blue Bird recall number R17YY-SB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy says dealers will inspect and repair the buses as needed free of charge. Use an authorized Blue Bird dealer for the recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is a detached battery box becoming a road hazard. NHTSA campaign 17V100 states that the battery box support brackets can crack, allowing the battery box to separate from the chassis and increasing crash risk for the bus and nearby traffic.
When did Blue Bird begin notifying owners?
Blue Bird began the recall on March 20, 2017. If you own or operate a 2015-2018 Blue Bird Vision school bus and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Blue Bird customer service with recall number 17V100.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V100000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V100 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V100000 |
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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →