RoadVitals

2023 Nova Bus Lfs

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 24V328000. 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.
2
Latest Oct 3, 2025
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.
31
Latest Jun 2, 2026
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Nova Bus Lfs, most frequently naming the steering category. 31 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 39 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

  • Steering2100.0%

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

31 campaigns 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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:LOW PRESSURE WARNING:SWITCH

Jun 2, 2026
5,662 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Nova Bus (US) Inc.Manufacturer number CR5918View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DOOR; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

May 12, 2026
197 units potentially affected
The defect: Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2019-2020 LFS Artic and 2019-2023 LFS transit buses. The driver's speaker hole door may have been built with the prime glazing manufacturer DOT code mark missing. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
The risk: A missing DOT code mark may result in the door being replaced with the incorrect type of plastic, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Nova Bus will replace the plastic panel door, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 11, 2026. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5884. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 11, 2026.
Nova Bus (US) Inc.Manufacturer number CR5884View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)

Apr 30, 2026
40 units potentially affected
The defect: Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2022-2023 LFS transit buses. The telemetry control unit installed in parallel with the vehicle monitoring system may cause a data overload.
The risk: An overloaded control unit may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Nova Bus will modify the connection configuration, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 29, 2026. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5882. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 29, 2026.
Nova Bus (US) Inc.Manufacturer number CR5882View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 2025

This NOVA BUS form build series LF26 a 2023 model year had a failure at the steering gear box as the previous complaint the sector shaft was found to have too much play causing the seal to leak hydraulic steering oil which poses a sever risk to the safety of the operator, the passengers, and the public Again we have had a high failure rate on this and other NOVA buses Build series LB77, LE92 and LF26 2019, 2022, and 2023 model years. 18 steering boxes replaced just in 2025 among the fleet of NOVA buses. Others in 2024! Box manufactuer TRW NOVA part number N100487 We have had to source boxes elswhere to meet demand due to parts not being available from NOVA all of th time when needed.

NHTSA ID
11691135
Incident
Feb 28, 2025
Steering
Filed Oct 3, 2025

NOVA BUS's in this model year and build series LF26 Unit numbers 2301-2309 have expierienced a high failure rat of the steering gear box. These units are exibiting play in the sector shaft at an ealry age and the play is causing fluid leaks of the steering hydryaulic oil that poses a severe safety risk to the operator, passengers, and the public in and around the vehicles while being driven. We have been replacing the steering boxes as the failure is noted. Parts availability from NOVA has been poor. This bus had the box replaced on 9/2/2025 at 83,361 miles These are heavy duty transit buses with a life expectancy of 12 plus years

NHTSA ID
11691132
Incident
Sep 2, 2025

Manufacturer communications

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

BS5578E

STRUCTURE

The rear door operator is missing one bolt and washer.

BS5571E

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The HVAC generator engine pulley has bolts that are too long.

BS5580E

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

One fire suppression system pipe may be installed backwards and interfere with an alternator cable, creating friction that could damage one or both components.

FT5575E

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE

Rear Door Electrical Operator. Incorrectly adjusted door stops could mislead the system by indicating incomplete closure of the door.

BS5572E

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Water Sensor in E-Steering Compartment.

BS5572E

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Water Sensor in E-Steering Compartment.

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

Nova Bus Lfs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025030
20240100
2023Viewing2310
20220320
20210230
20200210
20190220
20180160
20170180
20160170
20150140
20140140
20130160
2012090
2011050
2010040
2009020
2008030
2007020
2006020
2005020
2004000
2003000
2002010
2001010
2000010
1999010
1998010
1997010
1996000

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.