Recall 18V264 covers 345 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses with wrong air brake gauge readings. Free software update at Blue Bird dealers.
Blue Bird is recalling 345 2018-2019 Vision and All American transit buses because the primary and secondary air brake gauges can intermittently show 0 PSI instead of the actual tank pressure. If the display is wrong, the driver loses the pressure warning needed to respond, increasing crash risk; Blue Bird dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster on 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses includes the primary and secondary air brake gauges. Those gauges show how much air pressure is in the brake tanks, so the driver knows the air brake system has usable pressure before and during a trip. On an air brake bus, that pressure reading is part of the driver's normal brake check.
On affected buses, the Ametek Dixon instrument cluster has a timing and synchronization problem between two microprocessors. One microprocessor drives the two air pressure gauges, and the timing error makes the gauges display "0 PSI" even when the brake tanks still have pressure. The problem is in the gauge display logic, not a confirmed loss of braking pressure in the source record.
The driver can see both gauges show zero air pressure, then press the brake pedal and see that system pressure is present. That mismatch is the warning sign: the display says no air, while the brake system still responds with pressure.
Who's affected?
Each model year is paired with two listed component areas: instrument panel and air brakes.
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | instrument panel |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | instrument panel |
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | brake system |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | instrument panel |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | brake system |
| Units affected | 345 |
| 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?
Incorrect air pressure gauge readings can hide a real drop in tank pressure, so the driver loses a key warning needed for safe braking and crash risk increases. A gauge reading of 0 while brake application still shows system pressure is a warning sign. Schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free display software update that corrects the air brake gauge readings.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird has mailed one, and reference recall number 18V264 when you call.
- Watch the air brake gauges until the software update is complete, and stop operating the bus if the readings show 0 PSI or do not match actual tank pressure.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions and mention Blue Bird recall R18ZE-NSB.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician updates the instrument cluster display software so the primary and secondary air brake gauges show the correct tank pressure instead of an intermittent zero reading. The software update and service labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this display software repair before the recall notice, Blue Bird's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 25, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 18, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 1, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V264?
Recall 18V264 covers 345 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American transit buses with instrument-cluster software that can show 0 PSI on the primary and secondary air brake gauges instead of the actual tank pressure. Blue Bird dealers will update the display software for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V264. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the display software update. Reference recall number 18V264 and Blue Bird recall number R18ZE-NSB when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy states that dealers will update the display software free of charge. The free repair applies at franchised Blue Bird dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the air brake gauges can show the wrong tank pressure. If the display does not show falling air pressure correctly, the operator loses the information needed to judge the brake system's status, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V264000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V264 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V264000 |
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)
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 →