Recall 21V313 affects 134 2018-2022 Blue Bird All American buses for a fuel rail leak that raises fire risk. Free repair at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 134 2018-2022 All American and All American Transit Bus vehicles under recall 21V313 because the sealing washer on the high-pressure fuel rail can fail to seat correctly and allow fuel to leak. A fuel leak near an ignition source raises the risk of a fire, and Blue Bird will open the free dealer repair once the remedy is finalized.
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What's wrong?
The high pressure fuel rail on these Blue Bird All American buses is part of the Cummins L9 diesel engine's common rail fuel system. The rail holds diesel fuel at very high pressure and distributes it to each injector at the precise moment the engine needs it. Sealing washers sit in pilot bores at the ends of the rail to keep that pressurized fuel contained inside the joint.
On affected buses, those pilot bores were machined undersized. The sealing washer does not seat squarely in the bore, so the joint never gets the clamping load it was designed for. Over time, fuel can work its way past the washer and leak from the rail end. Leaking diesel near a hot engine raises the risk of a fire.
The operator can see or smell diesel fuel around the engine bay. In some cases, the check engine lamp will illuminate. Either is a warning sign that the rail joint has started to leak.
Who's affected?
Covers two All American body styles (transit bus and the base All American) across five model years, all sharing the same Cummins high-pressure fuel rail assembly.
| 2020 Blue Bird All American Transit Bus | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2022 Blue Bird All American Transit Bus | fuel system |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | fuel system |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | fuel system |
| 2021 Blue Bird All American Transit Bus | fuel system |
| Units affected | 134 |
| 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 in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak near an ignition source raises the risk of an under-hood or under-bus fire. Watch for the smell of diesel, visible fuel around the rail, or a check-engine light, and stop driving the bus if you notice any of those signs. Park it away from buildings and other vehicles until a technician inspects the rail threads and fuel lines. Repair will be free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2022 Blue Bird All American or All American Transit Bus is included in this recall.
- Wait for Blue Bird's final remedy notice before scheduling the repair. The fix is still under development, so dealers cannot complete the rail-thread and fuel-line service yet.
- Park the bus away from buildings and other vehicles when possible, since a fuel leak near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions and reference recall number 21V313 (Blue Bird recall R21BH-NSB) when you call.
- Contact your franchised Blue Bird dealer once the remedy is released to schedule the free inspection of the fuel rail threads and fuel lines, and replacement of the rail if needed.
What happens at the repair
Blue Bird is still developing the final repair for this recall. Once it opens, a Blue Bird technician will inspect the fuel rail threads and the fuel lines, then replace the rail if the inspection shows it is needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Cummins has stated that a recall-specific reimbursement plan will be posted in its Recall Portal for units not covered by the manufacturer's limited warranty. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related fuel rail repair, keep your receipts and service paperwork so you can submit them once that plan is published.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 4, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| June 30, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 30, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 30, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V313?
Recall 21V313 covers 134 2018-2022 Blue Bird All American and All American Transit Bus vehicles with a sealing washer that can fail to seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high-pressure fuel rail to leak diesel fuel. A fuel leak near an ignition source increases fire risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2022 Blue Bird All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 21V313. If it is, contact a Blue Bird dealer to schedule the fuel-rail inspection. The dealer will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines and replace the rail if needed. Reference recall number 21V313 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Blue Bird dealers will inspect the fuel rail threads and fuel lines and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Parts and labor are covered regardless of where the bus was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk from the fuel rail defect?
The sealing washer can fail to seat in the pilot bore holes, allowing diesel fuel to leak from the high-pressure fuel rail. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Keep the bus parked if you notice a fuel smell or visible leak, and contact your dealer.
What if I bought my Blue Bird All American used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Blue Bird never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included, and reference recall number 21V313 when you call the dealer or Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V313000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V313 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V313000 |
Source documents
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Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →