Recall 18V801 covers 86 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses because stacked stretcher clamps can fail. Repair is free at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 86 2007-2019 All American ambulance buses because clamps that secure stacked stretchers can fail after repeated use or high loads. If the clamps fail with patients in the stretchers, the defect increases injury risk; the Blue Bird dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The litter clamps on 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses hold stacked stretchers, also called litters, in place while patients are loaded and transported. Their job is simple but critical: keep each stretcher secured to its mounting points so it does not shift under load or repeated movement.
On affected buses, the original clamp does not have enough strength margin for high load conditions or repeated cycles of use. Blue Bird found evidence that the clamp mounting area stretched out and that components failed. Once the mounting hole elongates, the clamp loses its intended shape and grip, increasing the chance that a stacked stretcher is not held securely when occupied.
The warning sign is visible wear at the clamp, especially elongation around the mounting hole. Inspect the litter clamp closely for that stretched or distorted metal before the bus carries patients on stacked litters.
Who's affected?
All included model years point to the same Equipment component, with no separate trim split.
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2012 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2008 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2011 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2010 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2009 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2013 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2017 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| 2007 Blue Bird All American | Equipment |
| Units affected | 86 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
The litter clamps hold the stretcher in place. If a clamp fails while a patient is on the stretcher, the patient faces increased injury risk. Have the clamps inspected for elongation around the mounting hole, and arrange the recall work when Blue Bird makes it available. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American is included in this recall.
- Watch for Blue Bird's owner notice before scheduling the repair, since the remedy is listed as under development.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer and ask when the free redesigned-clamp repair for the stacked stretcher mounts will be ready.
- Reference recall number 18V801 and Blue Bird recall R18ZQ-NSB when you call.
- Limit stacked-stretcher use until the clamp repair is complete, because failed stretcher clamps increase injury risk for patients.
What happens at the repair
Blue Bird has identified the dealer repair: a Blue Bird technician installs redesigned clamps for the stacked stretcher mounts. Because the remedy status is still listed as under development, treat the final dealer repair as not open until Blue Bird or the dealer confirms availability. Once it opens, the recall repair is free. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair. Contact Blue Bird customer service with repair documentation to ask how that plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 14, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 13, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 13, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 13, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V801?
Recall 18V801 covers 86 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American ambulance buses with stacked-stretcher clamps that can fail from repeated use or high loads. If clamps fail while patients are in the stretchers, injury risk increases. Blue Bird dealers will install redesigned clamps for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2019 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V801. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the redesigned clamp installation. Reference recall number 18V801 and Blue Bird recall number R18ZQ-NSB when you call.
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 dealers will install redesigned clamps free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at the franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury to patients using the stacked stretchers. The clamps that secure those stretchers can fail from repeated use or high loads. If a clamp fails with a patient in place, the stretcher is no longer secured as intended.
When did Blue Bird notify owners?
Blue Bird began the recall on December 12, 2018. If you operate one of these ambulance buses and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with recall number R18ZQ-NSB.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V801000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V801 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V801000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 →