2013 Nova Bus LFS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)

Nova Bus is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2006-2013 LFS transit buses. Due to a programming error in the vehicle control unit, the ABS malfunction light may not illuminate if the ABS control unit loses power. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: If the ABS malfunction light does not illuminate if the ABS control unit loses power, the driver would not be aware that the ABS is not functional and that the brakes may unexpectedly lock up under certain conditions when the brakes are applied, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Nova Bus will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late August 2014. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR3200.

Reported: 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)

Nova Bus is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 LFS transit buses manufactured June 2010 to June 2014. In the affected vehicles, the terminal on the postive alternator cable may fracture causing the cable to arc to other components.

Consequence: Arcing of the alternator cable may result in an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Nova Bus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the terminal and replace it if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR3201.

Reported: 2014-08-01 (August 1, 2014)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nova LFS transit buses. The bolt used to secure the windshield wiper linkage to the wiper motor may become loose over time.

Consequence: If the windshield wiper linkage loosens from the wiper motor, the wipers may become inoperable, reducing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bolt and nut that attach the windshield wiper linkage to the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682.

Reported: 2015-11-05 (November 5, 2015)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Nova LFS and 2013-2015 LFS Artic transit buses. The affected vehicles are equipped with an optical sensor for the passenger counter system whose location may result in a passenger's arm being pinched between the passenger counter housing and the door.

Consequence: A passenger could be injured if their arm is caught in the door.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective cover over the passenger counter system and add a warning label, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's numbers for this recall are CR3492 and CR3493.

Reported: 2016-04-05 (April 5, 2016)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Nova LFS transit buses manufactured from August 10, 2010, through November 5, 2015. The affected seats have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.

Consequence: If the seat belt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats for missing welds. If missing welds are found, the seats will be repaired, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's recall number for this campaign is CR3632.

Reported: 2016-06-08 (June 8, 2016)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nova LFS and LFS Artic transit buses manufactured from June 18, 2012, through October 19, 2015. The affected transit buses have destinations signs that may not be properly secured and, as a result, the sign may fall.

Consequence: If an sign falls, there is an increased risk of injury to anyone under or standing near the sign.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the sign as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2016. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's recall number for this campaign is CR3539.

Reported: 2018-02-17 (February 17, 2018)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2013 LFS transit buses equipped with transmission oil coolers. In the event of a transmission oil cooler failure, transmission fluid may mix with coolant that circulates through the passenger compartment heating system. Exposure to transmission fluid may degrade the PEX connectors of the heating system, resulting in hot coolant leaking into the passenger area.

Consequence: Leaking coolant could come into contact with passengers, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PEX fittings with brass fittings, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2018. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4226.

Reported: 2019-04-05 (April 5, 2019)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2011-2019 LFS city buses. The engine door fan electrical connector may not be able to handle the required current and may overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.

Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2019. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4595.

Reported: 2021-03-09 (March 9, 2021)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2008-2021 LFS Buses. The center-line height of the brake lights and tail lights is too high, exceeding the maximum height standard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Reduced visibility of the brake and tail lights can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and provide instructions for interchanging the positions of the brake light and tail light components with the turn signal light components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2021. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682.

Reported: 2022-12-07 (December 7, 2022)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2010-2021 LFS and 2009-2012 LFS Artic transit buses. These vehicles are equipped with non-standard color auxiliary lights which may impair the effectiveness of the standard lighting equipment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: The colorful lighting may cause confusion by distracting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the non-standard color lights, or replace them with white lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2023. Owners may contact Nova's customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5350/5351.

Reported: 2023-04-18 (April 18, 2023)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2014 LFS and 2012-2013 LFS Artic transit buses. The emergency exit window release and label may have been installed in the incorrect location. In addition, the emergency exit window opening may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: In an emergency, the incorrect placement of the window exit release and label instructions or the insufficient window opening may prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova Bus will either remove the emergency exit window feature, and/or relocate the release mechanism, label, and chime cord stop-request system, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5415.

Reported: 2023-05-17 (May 17, 2023)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2012-2022 LFS vehicles. The driver's seat belt may not retract properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: A seat belt that does not retract properly may result in a loose seat belt, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will adjust the recline angle of the seat-back rest, or add a spacer on the driver's seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5419.

Reported: 2024-11-05 (November 5, 2024)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2010-2020 LFS Artic and 2012-2024 LFS vehicles. The driver's seat belt may not retract properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: A seat belt that does not retract properly may result in a loose seat belt, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Nova Bus will install additional seat stoppers to the driver's rear partition, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 4, 2025. Nova's number for this recall is CR5635. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-350. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 23V-350 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Reported: 2025-08-26 (August 26, 2025)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2013 LFS transit buses. The coolant hoses routed through the HVAC roof unit may fail and leak coolant into the passenger seating area.

Consequence: Hot coolant that leaks into the passenger seating area increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova Bus will inspect and replace the hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5752. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 18V117.

Reported: 2026-02-10 (February 10, 2026)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2013-2019 LFS and 2019-2020 LFS Artic transit buses equipped with Double Transversal seats. The passenger seat mounting rails may crack, causing the seat to detach and fall to the floor.

Consequence: A seat that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury to passengers in or near to the seat.

Remedy: Nova Bus will replace the attachment brackets, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed by April 10, 2026. Owners will receive another notice once remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2026.

Reported: 2026-06-02 (June 2, 2026)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 1997-2002, 2005-2024 LFS, 2009-2014, and 2016 - 2024 LFS Artic transit buses. The low brake air pressure warning light may fail to illuminate when the engine is off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A low brake air pressure warning light that fails to illuminate when the engine is off will not alert the driver to a low brake pressure condition, increasing the risk of a crash if the parking brake is disengaged before starting the engine.

Remedy: Nova Bus will update the firmware, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed by July 17, 2026. Owners will receive another notice once remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5918. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.