Recall 20V074 covers 58 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses for connector separation. Cummins dealers install the cable tie free.
Blue Bird is recalling 58 2018-2019 Vision and All American school buses equipped with 7000 EV electric drivetrain units because a wire-harness connector can unplug and cut communication between control modules. The fault can cause sudden loss of drive power and power steering, which raises crash risk, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses in this recall use a PowerDrive 7000 EV electric drivetrain. Inside that system, wire harness connectors carry communication signals between control modules, which are the electronic units that tell the drivetrain, high-voltage system, and power steering how to operate. Those connectors are supposed to stay locked together while the bus is in service.
On affected buses, one connector inside the drivetrain harness is susceptible to coming unplugged during normal operation. When that electrical connection opens, the control modules lose communication. The system can then switch off the high-voltage contactors, which cuts power to high-voltage systems, including the traction drive system and power steering.
The warning sign is brief. The filing describes a warning displayed to the driver for approximately 3 seconds before loss of motive power and power steering.
Who's affected?
Covers both Vision and All American buses across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to the same powertrain component.
| 2019 Blue Bird Vision | powertrain |
|---|---|
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | powertrain |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | powertrain |
| 2018 Blue Bird Vision | powertrain |
| Units affected | 58 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?
A sudden loss of drive power and power steering can make the bus harder to control and increases the risk of a crash. Treat any brief warning before power loss as a reason to pull over safely and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer or Cummins service location to schedule the free wire-harness connector cable-tie repair.
- Reference recall number 20V074 and Blue Bird recall R20AL-SB when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Blue Bird mailed one, and ask whether the bus is cleared to stay in service until the repair appointment.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, since the connector problem can cause sudden loss of drive power and power steering.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs a cable tie on the wire harness connector so the connector locking tab stays in the locked position. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related connector or wiring repair before the recall work was completed. Bring documentation for that prior repair to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 11, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 12, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 3, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 3, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 3, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 3, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V074?
Recall 20V074 covers 58 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses equipped with 7000 EV electric drivetrain units. A wire harness connector can unplug, causing loss of communication between control modules, sudden loss of drive power, and loss of power steering. Cummins dealers install a cable tie for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 20V074. If it is, contact Blue Bird customer service or a Cummins dealer to arrange the connector cable-tie repair. Reference recall number 20V074 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy states that Cummins dealers will install a cable tie on the connector free of charge. Blue Bird's recall number for this campaign is R20AL-SB.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden loss of drive power and power steering. Blue Bird states that this condition increases the risk of a crash. The remedy secures the connector locking tab in the locked position so communication between control modules is maintained.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall repair began March 12, 2020. Since the remedy is available, owners of included 2018-2019 Blue Bird Vision and All American school buses can contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 for repair instructions.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V074000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V074 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V074000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →