Recall 19V765 covers 83 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision school buses for VCU software linked to unexpected movement. Cummins dealers update it free.
Blue Bird is recalling 83 2018-2019 All American and Vision school buses equipped with Cummins PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrains because a software error in the vehicle control unit can trigger the anti-roll back feature during slow moving or stop and go driving. Unexpected movement can increase the risk of a crash, and Blue Bird dealers will perform the free recall repair.
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What's wrong?
The vehicle control unit, or VCU, on 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision electric school buses is the computer that manages the Cummins PowerDrive 7000 EV drivetrain. It reads driver inputs and vehicle speed, then tells the electric motor how much torque to apply. One of its jobs is anti-roll back control, which is meant to keep the bus from rolling backward at very low speed or from a stop.
On affected buses, a software error in the VCU can turn that anti-roll back feature on during slow-moving or stop-and-go driving. When that happens, the controller can command high motor torque at the wrong time. The result is a brief unexpected movement of the bus, which increases the risk of a crash or injury to passengers or pedestrians.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not told to expect the anti-roll back feature to activate incorrectly before the bus moves unexpectedly.
Who's affected?
Spans both All American and Vision buses across the 2018-2019 model years, with both the hybrid propulsion system and automatic transmission control module listed for each model.
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | Hybrid propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 83 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected vehicle movement can raise the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before it happens, so use extra care when stopping, parking, and operating the bus until the software update is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American or Vision school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free VCU software update that fixes anti-roll back activation during slow or stop-and-go driving.
- Ask whether the update will be completed by a Cummins dealer, and confirm parts and labor are free.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird sent one, or reference recall number 19V765 when you call.
- Use extra care in slow moving or stop-and-go conditions until the update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician updates the vehicle control unit software for the Cummins PowerDrive EV drivetrain. The software update and labor are free under the recall. The update addresses the software error that activates the anti rollback feature during slow moving or stop and go driving. After the update, the service desk should document the completed recall repair for the bus record.
Timeline
| October 25, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 30, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 21, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| November 21, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 21, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V765?
Recall 19V765 covers 83 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision school buses with Cummins PowerDrive 7000 EV drivetrain units. A VCU software error can activate the anti-roll back feature in slow moving or stop and go conditions, causing unexpected vehicle movement.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Blue Bird All American or Vision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V765. If it is, contact Blue Bird or a Cummins dealer to schedule the VCU software update. Reference Blue Bird recall number R19AJ-SB when you call. The update is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For this recall, Cummins dealers update the VCU software free of charge, and Blue Bird has already notified owners about the available remedy.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected vehicle movement during slow moving or stop and go operation. Blue Bird reported that the VCU software error can activate the anti-roll back feature at the wrong time, which can increase the risk of a crash.
When were owners notified about recall 19V765?
Blue Bird notified owners, and the recall began October 30, 2019. Because the remedy is available, affected owners can contact Blue Bird or a Cummins dealer now to schedule the free VCU software update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V765000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-800-286-6467 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V765 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V765000 |
Source documents
-
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →