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Campaign 19V393 Posted May 24, 2019 70 units

2015-2020 Blue Bird Vision Recall 19V393: Brake Drag

Recall 19V393 affects 70 2015-2020 Blue Bird Vision and All American buses for dragging rear brakes. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.

Blue Bird is recalling 70 2015-2020 All American and 2016-2020 Vision non-school buses, including 2020 Vision Transit Bus units, under recall 19V393 because the driver side rear disc brakes can drag. A dragging brake can damage components and raise wheel-end temperatures enough to increase fire risk, and Blue Bird dealers will inspect and repair the brakes free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The ADB22X disc brake on the left rear wheel of these Blue Bird buses is an air-actuated caliper that clamps a brake pad against the rotor every time the driver presses the pedal or sets the parking brake. Inside the caliper, an adjustment mechanism keeps a small gap between the pad and the rotor so the brake releases cleanly when pressure drops. That gap is what lets the wheel spin freely between stops.

On affected buses, the prior-generation adjuster on the left rear corner is sensitive to the direction of wheel rotation and to the heavy use of the parking brake on rear axles. Over time, the adjuster narrows the gap further than designed. The pad rides against the rotor even when the driver is off the brake, which causes the brake to drag and the wheel end to overheat.

Drivers and technicians should watch for the ABS dash warning light, a burning brake-pad odor, or smoke from the left rear wheel. Those are the warning signs that the left rear brake is dragging.

Who's affected?

Spans three Blue Bird school bus models (Vision, All American, Vision Transit Bus) across six model years, all built with the same air-disc brake caliper.

2017 Blue Bird Vision brake system
2016 Blue Bird Vision brake system
2019 Blue Bird Vision brake system
2016 Blue Bird All American brake system
2015 Blue Bird All American brake system
Units affected70

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.

What's the safety risk?

A dragging brake can overheat the wheel area, damage brake components, and raise the risk of a fire. Watch for an illuminated ABS warning light, a burning odor from hot brake pads, or smoke from the left rear wheel. If any of those appear, stop the vehicle safely, move occupants away, and call the dealer to arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2020 Blue Bird Vision, All American, or Vision Transit Bus is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free caliper replacement that fixes the dragging driver-side rear brake.
  3. Reference recall number 19V393 (Blue Bird recall R19AA-NSB) when you call the dealer so the service desk pulls the correct parts.
  4. Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions about parts availability or scheduling.
  5. Watch for the ABS warning light and stop the bus safely if it activates, then arrange service before further use.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism on the driver side rear brake. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket to address rear brake drag on the affected bus, Blue Bird's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive, or contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 to confirm what documentation is needed before the appointment.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

May 24, 2019 NHTSA published the recall
July 18, 2019 Dealer notification began
July 18, 2019 Dealer notification ended
July 18, 2019 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
July 18, 2019 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
August 28, 2019 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 19V393?

Recall 19V393 covers 70 2015-2020 Blue Bird Vision, Vision Transit Bus, and All American non-school buses equipped with ADB22X disc brakes. The driver side rear brakes can drag, which can damage brake components and raise wheel-end temperatures enough to increase fire risk. Blue Bird dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism for free.

What should I do if my 2015-2020 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V393. If it is, contact a Blue Bird dealer to schedule the caliper replacement. Reference recall number 19V393 when you call, or contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost. Blue Bird will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism free of charge at a Blue Bird dealer, regardless of where the bus was originally purchased.

What is the safety risk?

A dragging driver side rear brake can damage brake components and activate the ABS warning light, prompting the driver to stop and transfer occupants off the bus. High temperatures at the wheel end also raise the risk of a fire. Either condition increases the risk of injury to occupants.

What if I already paid for caliper or brake-drag repairs on my Blue Bird bus?

Contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 to ask about reimbursement under the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan. Have your receipts, the repair invoice, and recall number 19V393 ready when you call. A Blue Bird dealer can also start the reimbursement conversation at the service desk.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V393000
Blue Bird customer service1-478-822-2242
NHTSA recall #19V393
NHTSA recall # (full)19V393000

Source documents

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 →