Recall 18V259 affects 364 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses for a brake-throttle interlock software defect. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 364 2017-2018 Vision school buses equipped with Gen4 Ford engines and the optional brake and throttle interlock because the system does not block throttle input when activated. That can let the bus overpower the applied service brakes and move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash or injury; Blue Bird dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake and throttle interlock on 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses is meant to hold the service brakes and ignore accelerator pedal input when the interlock is active. The service brakes are the main braking system used to stop the bus. A Roush Smart Relay Module, or SRM, reads electronic messages from the instrument cluster and controls that interlock request.
On affected buses, the SRM software checks information from multiple data-link sources instead of relying only on the instrument cluster. Because of timing conflicts in those messages, the module can miss the request to block the accelerator interlock. When that happens, the brakes are applied but accelerator pedal input is still accepted, so the interlock does not perform its full job.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver does not get a separate alert that the accelerator input is still active when the interlock should be blocking it.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Blue Bird Vision | Accelerator pedal |
|---|---|
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | Accelerator pedal |
| Units affected | 364 |
| 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?
Throttle input can overpower the applied brake, allowing the bus to move unexpectedly and increasing the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning to the driver, so use extra care when braking and applying throttle until the software update is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free Smart Relay Module software update that restores throttle blocking when the brake and throttle interlock is active.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V259 when you call.
- Avoid relying on the brake and throttle interlock to hold the bus until the software update is complete.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions about scheduling or the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician updates the Smart Relay Module software so the brake and throttle interlock blocks accelerator pedal input when the interlock is active and applies the service brakes as intended. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work. Bring documentation for any prior Smart Relay Module or interlock repair to the service desk and ask how the plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 24, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 18, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 18, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 24, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V259?
Recall 18V259 covers 364 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision school buses equipped with Gen4 Ford engines and the optional brake and throttle interlock. The interlock is supposed to apply the service brakes and block accelerator input, but the throttle input is not being blocked. Blue Bird dealers update the Smart Relay Module software for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V259. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the Smart Relay Module software update. Reference recall number 18V259 or Blue Bird recall R18ZF - SB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Blue Bird dealers will update the Smart Relay Module software free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2018, so the dealer remedy is available.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected bus movement. If throttle input is allowed while the brake and throttle interlock is active, the bus can overpower the applied brake and move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash or injury under recall 18V259.
What if I bought this Blue Bird Vision used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2017-2018 Blue Bird Vision still qualifies if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Blue Bird dealer for the free software update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V259000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V259 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V259000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →