RoadVitals

2018 New Flyer Xcelsior

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
1
Latest May 20, 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.
1
Latest Aug 22, 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2018 New Flyer Xcelsior, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
25V542000

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

Aug 22, 2025
2,354 units potentially affected
The defect: New Flyer of America, Inc. (New Flyer) is recalling certain 2012-2025 Xcelsior buses. The buses may have been built without enough emergency exits or the exits may be in an incorrect location. 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."
The risk: An insufficient number, or incorrectly located, of emergency exits can prevent or delay passengers from exiting during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy: New Flyer will mail instructions and necessary parts to add additional emergency egress windows, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2025. Owners may contact New Flyer's customer service at 1-800-241-2947.
New Flyer of America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngine
Filed May 20, 2026
Fire reported

Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA), operated by RATP Dev USA, is formally notifying you of an engine compartment fire involving one of our transit vehicles. Vehicle Information: •Fleet Number: 764 •Manufacturer: New Flyer •Vehicle Type: Heavy-Duty Transit Bus •Incident Date: [XXX] •Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Summary of Incident: While in revenue service, the operator reported hearing an abnormal noise and observed white smoke coming from the rear engine compartment area. The operator safely evacuated passengers and emergency responders arrived quickly to suppress the fire. No injuries or fatalities occurred. A third-party fire investigation was conducted by Halsey King & Associates. Based on the preliminary findings, the fire is believed to have originated from a catastrophic failure of the Thermo King A/C compressor clutch bearing assembly. The bearing reportedly overheated, seized, and caused the compressor belt to ignite while still being driven by the engine. The investigation identified evidence consistent with: •A seized A/C compressor clutch bearing •Extreme heat generation within the clutch assembly •Belt ignition and progression of fire through engine compartment components At this time, our maintenance records do not indicate any previously documented defects associated with this specific Thermo King assembly prior to the incident. Our fleet currently has inspection and preventive maintenance procedures in place related to belt alignment, pulley alignment, belt tension, clutch air gap measurement, and related A/C system inspections. We are providing this notification for awareness, documentation, and any further review deemed appropriate. Please let us know if additional information, photographs, maintenance records, or investigative documentation are required. Respectfully, [XXX] Assistant General Manager / Maintenance Director Greensboro Transit Agency RATP Dev USA [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11738944
Incident
Apr 6, 2026

Manufacturer communications

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

TSIB 26-06

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Bulletin to follow when replacing LV batteries on buses equipped with certain Vanner battery equalizers.

TSIB 22-07

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

This Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) - New Flyer has developed several maintenance updates for Xcelsior buses specifically equipped with the optional Powerex electric air compressors. This TSIB introduces field modifications in order to simplify maintenance operations and/or improve compressor longevity

SMB194

SUSPENSION

This service manual bulletin is an update to the 6,000 mile Preventative Maintenance inspection and lubrication requirements for the front stabilizer bar on all Xcelsior model buses.

TSIB 21-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Technical Service Information Bulletin revising the lubrication schedule for the scroll bearing on specifically equipped vehicles with the Powerex direct drive electric air compressor.

TSIB 21-02

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Technical Services Information Bulletin describing how to inspect specifically equipped vehicles, for possible pinch points on the Modine radiator fan harness routing.

SMB195

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Service Manual Bulletin provides additional information regarding the 6,000 mile Preventative Maintenance requirements for the low voltage battery system.

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

New Flyer Xcelsior by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024010—
2023010—
2022110—
2021010—
2020010—
2019010—
2018Viewing110—
2017010—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—
2012010—
2011000—
2010000—
2009000—
2008000—

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.