RoadVitals

2021 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
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Body & structure1100.0%

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

Body & structure
Filed Sep 14, 2026

The contact reporting a 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior. The contact stated that the CNG fuel tank prop rods located in a compartment on the roof of the transit bus caused damages to the fuel tanks from road vibrations. The contact was concerned that the failure might cause an injury or a fire. The contact stated that the failure was present on sixteen other buses within the fleet, and some of the tanks were sent to be repaired. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures.

NHTSA ID
11764151
Incident
Sep 14, 2026

Manufacturer communications

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

TSIB 26-08

SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin introduces new improved banjo bolts for buses equipped with a Haldex tandem air dryers. The updated banjo bolts feature enhanced corrosion resistance and are designed to replace the current banjo bolts to help minimize corrosion-related issues that may affect air dryer performance and reliability.

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.

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
2025110—
2024010—
2023010—
2022110—
2021Viewing110—
2020010—
2019010—
2018110—
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.