2016 Nova Bus LFS ARTIC: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2016-03-04 (March 4, 2016)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 LFS and LFS Artic vehicles manufactured from January 1, 2014, through February 15, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the pin on the wiper idler arm may strip causing the windshield wipers to become inoperative.

Consequence: If the windshield wipers become inoperative, visibility will be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper idler arm, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR3601.

Reported: 2017-05-16 (May 16, 2017)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2016 Nova LFS Artic transit buses. In the event of a loss of communication within the bus' multiplex network, the computer may command full throttle application, without input from the driver.

Consequence: Unintentional, full throttle application may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova has notified owners, and dealers have reprogrammed the buses, free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's recall number for this campaign is CR4041.

Reported: 2018-05-07 (May 7, 2018)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nova LFS and LFS Artic transit buses, equipped with axles with radial air disk brakes. Surface roughness of a guide pin in the radial brake calipers may cause the brake carriage guide pin support bolt to break.

Consequence: Breakage of the guide pin can cause loss of braking ability or loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners and dealers will install new guide pins at each wheel end on suspect axles, free of charge. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4079.

Reported: 2018-11-26 (November 26, 2018)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Nova LFS Artic transit buses. A fault code in the engine may cause the vehicle to operate at zero velocity and lack of dampening reducing vehicle stability.

Consequence: If there is a loss of vehicle stability, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will update the Hubner ACU software, free of charge. The recall began December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4422.

Reported: 2019-07-02 (July 2, 2019)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2014-2017 LFS and LFS Artic buses equipped with USSC cantilever seats. The hardware used to attach the cantilever seats to the side rail may have been improperly tightened. As a result, the cantilever seat may drop to the floor.

Consequence: If the cantilever seat drops while it is occupied, there is an increased risk of an injury.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat rails and hardware, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4663.

Reported: 2020-08-05 (August 5, 2020)

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2016 LFS and LFS Artic buses equipped with specific Allison Transmission drive units. The pressure switches on these Drive Units may fail, possibly resulting in a loss of drive.

Consequence: A loss of drive can disable the vehicle unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, offloading passengers to transfer them to another bus can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nova will notify owners, and Allison Transmissions will replace the C1 and C2 pressure switches, free of charge. The recall began September 15, 2020. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4943.

Reported: 2021-05-14 (May 14, 2021)

Nova Bus is recalling certain 2016-2020 LFS and LFS Artic vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682.

Reported: 2022-05-11 (May 11, 2022)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2016-2020 LFS and 2013-2022 LFS Artic buses. The momentary STOP and YIELD text message board is duplicating the stop light and turn signal light signals. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: The momentary text message board duplicating light signals may cause confusion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova will coordinate with Prevost Service Centers to remove the momentary text message board duplicating light signals and associated equipment, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2022. Owners may contact Nova's customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5267/68/69.

Reported: 2023-10-25 (October 25, 2023)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2015-2019 LFS and LFS Artic transit buses. The attachment hardware may have been incorrectly installed beneath the rear wheel well passenger seats, allowing the seat to detach from the frame.

Consequence: A detached passenger seat may inadequately restrain a passenger during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Nova Bus will inspect and replace the attachment hardware as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus number for this recall is CR5500.

Reported: 2024-07-25 (July 25, 2024)

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2016-2019 LFS and LFS Artic buses. The brake chamber on the rear axle may have been improperly manufactured, which can result in an air leak.

Consequence: A brake chamber air leak may cause the brakes to engage unexpectedly, which can overheat the brakes and increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, unexpected braking can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nova Bus will inspect and replace the brake chamber as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 02, 2024. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus's number for this recall is CR5619.

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: 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.