Recall 23V425 affects 1,424 2021-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus and Vision School Bus vehicles for faulty air-brake warnings. Free dealer software update.
Blue Bird is recalling 1,424 2021-2024 All American School Bus and Vision School Bus vehicles because a software error can stop the air pressure gauges and low-air warnings from working. Without those alerts, a driver can keep driving after air pressure loss and lose functioning brakes; Blue Bird dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On Blue Bird 2021-2024 All American School Bus and Vision School Bus models with air brakes, the instrument cluster does more than show speed and mileage. It also displays air pressure gauge readings and triggers the visual and audible low-air warnings that tell a driver when the air brake system is not ready for safe operation.
The problem is in the Ametek instrument cluster software and how part of the cluster wakes up at startup. In cold ambient temperatures, an internal signal in the co-processor is pulled down far enough that the co-processor does not read ignition as active. When that happens, the air pressure gauges and low-air warnings do not turn on, even though the bus has started.
A driver can catch the problem during the required pre-trip check. The warning sign is visible: the air gauges are not functioning, and the normal visual or audible low-air warning is not active.
Who's affected?
Covers both Blue Bird school bus lines from the 2021 through 2024 model years, with the instrument panel and air brake system included.
| 2021 Blue Bird All American School Bus | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2021 Blue Bird All American School Bus | brake system |
| 2022 Blue Bird All American School Bus | instrument panel |
| 2022 Blue Bird All American School Bus | brake system |
| 2022 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | instrument panel |
| 2022 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | brake system |
| 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | instrument panel |
| 2021 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | brake system |
| 2023 Blue Bird All American School Bus | instrument panel |
| 2023 Blue Bird All American School Bus | brake system |
| 2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus | instrument panel |
| 2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus | brake system |
| Units affected | 1,424 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
If the air gauges or warnings fail, the driver can miss air pressure loss and continue with brakes that are not functioning, increasing crash risk. Check the air gauges during the pre trip inspection; a nonfunctioning gauge is a reason to keep the bus out of service and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus or Vision School Bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free instrument-cluster software update that restores the air-pressure gauges and low-air warnings.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 23V425 and Blue Bird recall R23CH when you call.
- Avoid passenger service until the software update is complete if the gauges or warnings are not working.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions about recall number 23V425.
What happens at the repair
The recall repair is available now. At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician updates the instrument cluster software so the air pressure gauges and low air visual and audio warnings work as required. The software update, parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related instrument cluster software repair before the recall notice, Blue Bird's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring the repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Blue Bird customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 13, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 27, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 9, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| August 9, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 9, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 9, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V425?
Recall 23V425 covers 1,424 Blue Bird school buses with an instrument-cluster software error. The defect can stop the air pressure gauges and the visual and audio low-air warnings from working, increasing crash risk. Blue Bird dealers update the instrument cluster software for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus or 2021-2022 Vision School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 23V425. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the instrument cluster software update. Reference recall 23V425 or Blue Bird recall R23CH when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Blue Bird dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge, and parts and labor are covered under this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of normal air-brake warning information. If the air gauges and low-air warnings do not alert the driver to air pressure loss, the bus can be driven without functioning brakes, increasing crash risk.
What warning signs should drivers watch for?
This recall involves warning systems that fail to warn. A software error can keep the air pressure gauges and the visual and audio low-air warnings from working, so the driver loses normal instrument-cluster alerts for air-pressure loss. Report brake-air concerns to the service desk before the bus returns to route service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V425000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V425 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V425000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →