Recall 18V880 covers 535 2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses for parking brake cable disengagement. Free repair at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 535 2019 Vision and All American school buses because the parking brake cable can disengage from the foot pedal assembly. If that happens, the bus can move unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash; Blue Bird dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The parking brake on the 2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses uses a foot pedal assembly and cable to set the hydraulic parking brake. When the pedal is pressed, the cable pulls against a clevis, a slotted retaining point that holds the cable end in place. That connection keeps the parking brake applied so the bus stays still when parked.
On affected buses, the cable can disengage from the clevis on the pedal assembly. Blue Bird traced the problem to the shape of the slot in the clevis and slack in the cable. That slack comes from friction where the cable bends inside its outer sheathing. If the cable slips out, the parking brake is no longer held the way it was set, and the bus can move unintentionally.
There is no warning sign before the cable disengages. The filing says there is no audible or visual warning before the event, so an owner or driver should not expect a light, sound, or pedal clue first.
Who's affected?
Includes the Vision and All American bus lines for 2019, with the parking brake listed as the affected component for each.
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | Parking brake |
| Units affected | 535 |
| 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?
Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash. There is no audible or visual warning before the event. If your VIN is included, keep extra space around the bus and arrange the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free parking-brake cable clip and return-spring repair that keeps the cable attached to the foot pedal assembly.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V880 and Blue Bird recall R19ZU-SB when you call.
- Avoid relying on the parking brake alone until the repair is complete; unintended movement increases crash risk.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs a clevis cable retention clip and a cable end return spring for the parking brake cable at the foot pedal assembly. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Blue Bird's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this related repair before the recall work. Contact Blue Bird customer service and ask what documentation the plan requires for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 6, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 11, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 11, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 11, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 11, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V880?
Recall 18V880 covers 535 2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses with a parking brake cable that can disengage from the foot pedal assembly. That can let the bus move unintentionally, increasing crash risk. Blue Bird dealers install the retention clip and return spring for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 18V880. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the parking brake repair. Reference recall 18V880 or Blue Bird recall R19ZU-SB when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V880, Blue Bird dealers install a clevis cable retention clip and cable-end return spring free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V880?
The safety risk is unintended bus movement. In recall 18V880, the parking brake cable can disengage from the foot pedal assembly, which can allow the bus to move when it should stay parked and increase crash risk.
What if I bought this Blue Bird bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer if your bus is included. Blue Bird customer service is available at 1-478-822-2242.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V880000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V880 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V880000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall 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 →