Recall 18V566 affects 551 2019-2020 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses with missing restraint-strap warning labels. Free repair at franchised Blue Bird dealers.
Blue Bird is recalling 551 2019-2020 Vision, All American, and Vision School Bus buses because certain NextGen school bus seats with integrated child restraint systems are missing a warning label on the lower restraint strap. Without that label, the child restraint can be used improperly, increasing injury risk; Blue Bird dealers will add the label free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2019-2020 Blue Bird Vision, All American, and Vision School Bus seats use an Integrated Child Restraint Belt System. That system is built into the school bus seat to secure a child passenger without adding a separate child seat. The lower restraint strap is part of that belt system, and its warning label is required under FMVSS 213.
The problem is not a broken latch, torn belt, or loose seat frame. The affected NextGen School Bus seats were built without the required warning label on the lower restraint strap. Blue Bird traced the issue to an HSM design flaw in that seat series. Without the label, the seat does not meet the child restraint labeling rule that tells users important restraint information at the seat.
There is no audible or visual warning before an event. The practical sign is the missing lower-strap label itself, found by inspecting the affected integrated child restraint seats.
Who's affected?
Covers Vision, All American, and Vision School Bus buses across the 2019-2020 model years, with vehicle labels and seat assemblies listed.
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | seat assembly |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | seat assembly |
| 2020 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2020 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 551 |
| 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?
Without the required warning label, an owner or operator can use the seat restraint incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury. There is no audible or visual warning before that misuse, so confirm the label repair before relying on the seat. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Blue Bird Vision, All American, or Vision School Bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free lower-restraint-strap warning-label installation for the child restraint seats.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V566 when you call.
- Follow the child restraint instructions already on the seat, and confirm the lower strap warning label is installed before returning the seat to regular service.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs the missing warning label on the lower restraint strap portion of the Restraint Belt System for the affected NextGen school bus seats with Integrated Child Restraint Systems. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are free. If you already paid for a related label repair, file a claim with HSM customer service for warranty reimbursement and reference HSM Recall Number 18E083. The reimbursement plan covers both parts and labor at no cost to the dealer or vehicle owner.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 28, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 28, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 28, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V566?
Recall 18V566 covers 551 2019-2020 Blue Bird Vision, All American, and Vision School Bus buses with certain NextGen School Bus seats. The lower restraint strap on the integrated child restraint system is missing a required warning label, and Blue Bird dealers install the label for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Blue Bird Vision, All American, or Vision School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm the specific bus is included in recall 18V566. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule installation of the warning label on the lower restraint strap. Reference recall number 18V566 and Blue Bird recall R18ZN-SB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Blue Bird dealers install the missing lower-restraint-strap warning label free of charge. Parts and labor are covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is improper use of the integrated child restraint system. Without the warning label on the lower restraint strap, the seat can be used incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury. The dealer remedy is to add the missing label to the restraint belt system.
When did the Blue Bird recall repair start?
The recall repair began September 26, 2018. Blue Bird's remedy is available, so an included bus can be scheduled with a franchised Blue Bird dealer for the free warning-label installation. Owners can also call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V566000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V566 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V566000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →