Bendix ABS anti-lock brking system failed prior to recall notice 00v‑051. Nlm
The worst 1998 Blue Bird All American problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
Recalls 9
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Certain 1998 through 2002 blue bird all american, tc2000 school and transit buses, and commercial series buses equipped with cummins isb diesel engines. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Customers will be notified by cummins to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer to have the fuel lift pump replaced free of charge. For more information, customers may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.
Recall number 05V062000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- On certain school and transit buses equipped with cummins isb 6 cylinder engines, the lower alternator support brace or mounting hardware can loosen or break which will allow the alternator to drop onto the engine.
- Risk
- In this event, the electrical wiring harness may be damaged and the possibility of fire may exist.
- Remedy
- Cummins will notify customers and replace the upper and lower alternator support brackets free of charge. Owners who take their vehicle to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cummins at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or blue bird at 478‑822‑2242.
Recall number 03V085000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Certain transit buses fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle standard no. 101, "controls and displays." this standard requires specific labeling for "engine start" and "engine stop." the wording of the labels on these vehicles do not meet the requirements of the standard.
- Risk
- The operator could place the engine switch in a position other than that intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with new decals and installation instructions. Owner notification began august 29, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact blue bird at 1‑478‑822‑2242.
Recall number 02V185000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with rear mounted engines. The 12-volt power supply cable(s) may be chaffed by hoses, harnesses, frame components, or clamps.
- Risk
- This condition can result in power failure and/or risk of fire in the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove and inspect the 12-volt power cable(s) from the battery to the starter and, if necessary, will replace the cables. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners 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 1‑912‑822‑2242.
Recall number 01V191000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: antilock
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the ABS ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ABS ecu.
Recall number 00V232005 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix air brakes. Bendix changed the internal design of the qr1c relay valve by adding a hole in the internal diaphragm. When the hole in the diaphragm aligns with the hole in the valve body, the brake application time increases.
- Risk
- Under certain conditions, such as parked on an incline, driver activates the parking brake but removes foot from the threadle valve, the bus could roll before the parking brake is fully engaged.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the qr1c valves.
Recall number 00V162000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: front engine school and transit buses. The power distribution unit (pdu) cables are inadequately supported or routed in close proximity to the steering pitman arm.
- Risk
- The cable can chafe resulting in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with step by step repair instructions for re-routing the wires.
Recall number 00V071000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with bendix ABS anti-lock braking system. The primary and secondary brake treadle valve air lines were installed incorrectly at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
- Risk
- With the brake system installed incorrectly, future maintenance might be affected by this inconsistency, causing the brakes to be installed incorrect, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the bendix r12dc relay valve.
Recall number 00V051000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: transit and school buses. Movement of the hand throttle cable in the accelerator bracket rubs a groove in the bracket. The hand throttle cable can become wedged in this groove preventing the accelerator from returning to the idle position.
- Risk
- The throttle cable would not return to the idle position, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be contacted and advised to disconnect the hand throttle cable until replacement parts are available.
Recall number 98V153000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Blue Bird All American 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1998 Blue Bird All American owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 1998 Blue Bird All American
Other model years
199219982001200220032004200520062007200820092013201520162019
Questions about the 1998 Blue Bird All American
Is the 1998 Blue Bird All American reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1998 Blue Bird All American, fewer than a typical All American model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Blue Bird All American?
Brakes, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 1998 Blue Bird All American have?
9 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, electrical system and equipment.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Blue Bird All American brakes?
Yes, 3 recalls: 00V232005, 00V162000, 00V051000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Blue Bird All American?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history