Blue bird/fmvss 217/rear door
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: school buses. these buses were not equipped with a positive hold open device (retainer) for the rear emergency door. this does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."
Safety Consequence
The rear emergency door would not stay open until it was released, increasing the risk of personal injury in the event of an emergency.
Corrective Action
Owners will be provided with free parts and instructions to install the rear emergency door retainer. owners can contact their dealers and have them install the retainer if they so desire.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Blue Bird Body Company or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 98V108000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 98V108000?
NHTSA recall 98V108000 was issued by Blue Bird Body Company on May 18, 1998. It addresses: Blue bird/fmvss 217/rear door. The recall affects approximately 385 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Blue Bird Body Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 98V108000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.