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Van Con School Bus — Years to Avoid

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

Model Years
28
Years to Avoid
1978
Best Years
1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981
2005
0 complaints1 recalls
2004
0 complaints1 recalls
2003
0 complaints1 recalls
2002
0 complaints1 recalls
1998
0 complaints1 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994
0 complaints1 recalls
1993
0 complaints1 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980
0 complaints1 recalls
1979
0 complaints1 recalls
1978Avoid
0 complaints2 recalls
1977
0 complaints1 recalls
1976
0 complaints1 recalls
1975
0 complaints1 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 Van Con School Bus Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1978 Van Con School Bus is the most problematic year, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Van Con School Bus, consider the 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed