Recall 25V851 covers 310 2026-2027 Blue Bird school buses for wheelchair-restraint retractors that fail to lock. Blue Bird and Q'Straint inspect or replace them free.
Blue Bird is recalling 310 2026-2027 All American School Bus, Vision School Bus, and Vision School Bus (Electric) vehicles because QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraint retractors can fail to lock. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase injury risk, and Blue Bird dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The wheelchair restraint retractor on 2026-2027 Blue Bird All American School Bus, Vision School Bus, and Vision School Bus (Electric) buses is part of the QRT-Deluxe or QRT-Max securement system. Its job is to pull the restraint webbing tight, lock the belt in place, and keep an occupied wheelchair secured to the bus floor during normal travel and stops.
On affected buses, friction inside the retractor can make the auto release function stick. When that happens, the retractor does not lock as designed. The wheelchair restraint then fails to hold the chair firmly, so the chair is not properly secured while the bus is moving.
This problem is detectable during the standard functional inspection or pre-trip inspection. Operators can also notice abnormal wheelchair movement during use. If the retractor does not lock, or the wheelchair moves in a way the Q'Straint User and Care Manual treats as abnormal, that is the warning sign.
Who's affected?
The recall spans three Blue Bird school bus lines across the 2026 and 2027 model years, with the same wheelchair restraint latch/anchor component on each one.
| 2026 Blue Bird All American School Bus | Latch/anchor |
|---|---|
| 2027 Blue Bird All American School Bus | Latch/anchor |
| 2027 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | Latch/anchor |
| 2026 Blue Bird Vision School Bus | Latch/anchor |
| 2027 Blue Bird Vision School Bus (Electric) | Latch/anchor |
| 2026 Blue Bird Vision School Bus (Electric) | Latch/anchor |
| Units affected | 310 |
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?
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase the risk of injury. Before a trip, check the wheelchair retractors and treat any unlocked retractor or unusual wheelchair movement as a reason to keep that seating position 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 2026-2027 Blue Bird All American School Bus, Vision School Bus, or Vision School Bus (Electric) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer to schedule the free wheelchair-restraint inspection.
- Schedule the Q'Straint retractor replacement if inspection shows the wheelchair restraints do not lock correctly.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, or reference recall number 25V851 when you call.
- Avoid transporting wheelchair passengers in positions that use the affected QRT-Deluxe or QRT-Max restraints until the inspection and any replacement are complete.
- Call Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Blue Bird technician works with Q'Straint to inspect the wheelchair restraint retractors on the affected school bus. If a retractor does not lock correctly or is part of the suspect group, the technician replaces it. The recall repair is available now, and the inspection and any needed replacement are free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the owner should not pay for the retractor inspection or replacement tied to campaign 25V851.
Timeline
| December 10, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 29, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 6, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| February 6, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V851?
Recall 25V851 covers 310 2026-2027 Blue Bird All American School Bus, Vision School Bus, and Vision School Bus (Electric) vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors can fail to lock, preventing a wheelchair from being secured. Blue Bird will inspect and replace retractors for free.
What should I do if my 2026-2027 Blue Bird school bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether the specific bus is included in recall 25V851. If it is, contact a franchised Blue Bird dealer or Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242 to arrange the Q'Straint retractor inspection and replacement. Reference recall 25V851 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the safety defect at no cost, and Blue Bird's remedy states that the QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max retractor inspection and replacement will be free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury. This recall concerns the wheelchair restraint retractors, which can fail to lock and prevent proper securement. Until the repair is complete, treat any affected restraint position as a safety concern.
When were Blue Bird owners notified?
Blue Bird mailed owner notification letters on January 29, 2026. If your organization did not receive a letter, check the VIN for each 2026-2027 Blue Bird All American School Bus, Vision School Bus, or Vision School Bus (Electric) equipped with the affected Q'Straint restraints.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V851000 |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird customer service | 1-478-822-2242 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V851 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V851000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →