Recall 23V778 covers 6,124 2014-2024 Blue Bird All American school buses for loose barrier bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
Blue Bird is recalling 6,124 2014-2024 All American School Bus and All American buses because bolts securing 39-inch high back seat restraining barriers to the floor can separate when fully loaded. An unsecured barrier can fail to restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing injury risk, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The 39-inch high back seat restraining barrier in the 2014-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus and All American buses is the padded structure at a seating position that helps contain passengers during a crash or hard impact. It is bolted to the bus floor, and that floor attachment is part of the passenger seating and crash protection system.
On affected buses, the barrier attachment does not hold as required when the barrier is fully loaded. During compliance testing, the barrier did not absorb the required force while staying attached to the floor. The bolt securing the barrier came out, allowing the barrier to separate at an attachment point instead of remaining fixed.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a structural attachment problem, so a driver or maintenance technician would not have a normal dashboard light, noise, or handling change that shows the barrier is not secured well enough.
Who's affected?
The recall includes both All American and All American School Bus naming for buses with the same high back seat barrier component.
| 2020 Blue Bird All American School Bus | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2021 Blue Bird All American School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2018 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2014 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2016 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2015 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2022 Blue Bird All American School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2019 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2017 Blue Bird All American | body or structural component |
| 2023 Blue Bird All American School Bus | body or structural component |
| 2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 6,124 |
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?
An unsecured seat restraining barrier can fail to hold an occupant properly during a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before the barrier is needed, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair promptly if included. Repair is free at any franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus or All American is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free bolt, washer, and nut repair that secures the seat restraining barriers to the floor.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 23V778 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of passenger service until the repair is complete if the dealer finds the restraining barrier fasteners are loose or separated.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions and reference Blue Bird recall R23CU-SB.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician installs a longer bolt with a rectangular washer and nut for the seat restraining barrier floor attachment. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Blue Bird has a general reimbursement plan on file, so qualifying out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice are handled through the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan. Bring repair invoices and payment documentation to the service desk so the dealer can explain the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 20, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| January 16, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 16, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 16, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 16, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V778?
Recall 23V778 covers 6,124 2014-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus and All American buses with 39-inch high-back seat restraining barriers. The floor bolts for those barriers can separate when fully loaded, so Blue Bird dealers will install a longer bolt with a rectangular washer and nut for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2024 Blue Bird All American School Bus or All American is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 23V778. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the restraining-barrier bolt repair. Reference recall number 23V778 or Blue Bird recall R23CU-SB when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety recall repair at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy says dealers will install a longer bolt with a rectangular washer and nut free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Blue Bird dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced occupant protection during a crash. If a seat restraining barrier is unsecured, the barrier does not provide the intended restraint, increasing injury risk. The free dealer repair replaces the securing hardware with a longer bolt, rectangular washer, and nut.
When were owners notified about recall 23V778?
Blue Bird expected owner notification letters to be mailed January 16, 2024. Because that date has passed, use your VIN to confirm recall status instead of waiting for a letter, especially if the bus changed owners or fleet operators.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V778000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V778 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V778000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →