RoadVitals

2021 Ic Bus Cesb

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “park outside” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 25V503000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Jun 10, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Sep 4, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Ic Bus Cesb, most frequently naming the engine and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 72 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine266.7%
  • Fuel system133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V580000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Sep 4, 2025
457 units potentially affected
The defect: International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016-2026 IC Bus CESB and 2016-2021 RESB school buses. The underfloor reinforcement may not have been installed, compromising the structural integrity of the buses. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
The risk: Reduced structural integrity may increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement channel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2025. Owners may contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25514.
International Motors, LLCManufacturer number 25514View on NHTSA.gov
25V503000NHTSA advisory: park outside

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Aug 6, 2025
16,553 units potentially affected
The defect: International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016-2024 IC Bus CESB school buses. The brake pressure switch assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
The remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a silicone black jumper harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2025. Owners may contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25510. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V398 will need to have the new remedy completed.
International Motors, LLCManufacturer number 25510View on NHTSA.gov
23V398000NHTSA advisory: park outside

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Jun 2, 2023
15,398 units potentially affected
The defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2016 and 2018-2024 IC Bus CE school buses. The brake pressure switch assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
The remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch assembly and if necessary, the wire harness or fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 23518.
Navistar, Inc.Manufacturer number 23518View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Jun 10, 2026

Exhaust leaks caused by calapsed exhaust manifold pipes on 34 IC units with PSI engines. they are wrapped with aluminium covering with insulation. This in turn makes high heat tempuraters that split and burn up and disfigure pipes. Which can cause a fire if any oil leakage or fuel occurs. It also has been snapping exhaust manifold bolts away from manifdolds.

NHTSA ID
11743266
Incident
Jun 5, 2026
Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2025

THis is a school bus- Exhaust downpipes leading into the catalytic converters melted down and created large holes in the exhaust pipe itself. Extreme heat developed by engine.

NHTSA ID
11695245
Incident
Oct 23, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2025

School buses. We have a fleet of these and the condition is happening repeatedly and to almost every bus with this PSI brand 8.8L gasoline engine. The engine exhaust downpipes melt from excessive heat and/or fuel. The pipes then crack and produce an exhaust leak near the body firewall. Potential for exhaust and flame to escape from the pipe.

NHTSA ID
11653212
Incident
Mar 27, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26101

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Certain International® trucks and IC BusTM CE Series buses may have out of date BCM programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.

IK1201493

POWER TRAIN

The purpose of this article is to provide updated repair guidelines for the engine oil pan leak on all 8.8L gasoline and LPG engines. Engine oil can leak from the rear of the engine oil pan due to an excessive gap in the sealing area between the engine oil pan and the engine block.

IK2600255

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This document provides guidance for assessing the feasibility of implementing a customer-requested change to an engine or vehicle parameter/feature. Customer requested changes will be approved in accordance with the requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 1037 to ensure continued compliance with greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.

IK1500105

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This document is for Diesel buses MY2020, MY2021, MY2022, MY2023, and MY2024 specifically built between 11/30/20 and 5/18/23 that are experiencing fuel leaks at the fuel tank cap for not being seated fully, and for MY2024 and MY2025 buses built between 1/2/24 and 9/19/25 for fuel necks being loose.

26101

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Certain International® trucks and IC BusTM CE Series buses may have out of date BCM programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.

IK2600090

ENGINE

New CARB Idle Reduction Change Request

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ic Bus Cesb by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027060—
20260130—
20251140—
20240130—
20231170—
2022590—
2021Viewing340—
20201120—
20190160—
20180120—
20170140—
20161150—
2015000—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011010—
2010010—
2009150—
2008280—
20070150—
20062110—
2005060—
2004050—
2003040—
2002020—
2001000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.