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Blue Bird School Bus — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Blue Bird School Bus model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
26
Years to Avoid
1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989
Best Years
2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1994
2009
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001
2 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
2000
3 complaints0 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998
3 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1997
4 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1996Avoid
9 complaints0 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1995
12 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993
10 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1992Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1991Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1990Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1989Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls4 invest.
1988
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1987
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1986
2 complaints0 recalls
1985
1 complaints0 recalls
1984
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Blue Bird School Bus Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989 Blue Bird School Bus are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Blue Bird School Bus, consider the 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1994 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

26 model years analyzed