Vehicle recall 96V073000 · May 3, 1996

Blue Bird All American, Conventional and 6 more models

Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the forward handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the forward handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
Consequence: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners will be directed to remove all forward handrails. Provisions will be made for those owners operating in states which mandate a forward handrail that a replacement handrail will be provided.
Notes: System: equipment; handrails at bus entryways. Vehicle description: school buses equipped with forward handrails. Note: owner who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact blue bird at 1-912-825-2021. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 96V073000
Reported to NHTSA: May 3, 1996
Filed by: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Owner notification: August 21, 1996
Vehicles potentially affected: 18,000
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Structure › Body

Recall 96V073000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Blue Bird All American (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Conventional (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Gmcv (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Gpwb (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Mini Bird (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Sbcv (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird TC2000 (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Blue Bird Vcta (1988-1996): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988

Has your Blue Bird been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Blue Bird dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.