VehicleVerdict

2018 Novabus LFS Artic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2018 Novabus LFS Artic — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 10 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other LFS Artic years?

LFS Artic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints
LFS Artic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LFS Artic years to avoid →

Does the 2018 Novabus LFS Artic have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V355000BrakesJune 2, 2026 · 5,680 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 1997-2002, 2005-2024 LFS and 2009-2024 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. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 1, 2026. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5918.

24V647000Seat BeltsNovember 5, 2024 · 1,570 units

Defect

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.

24V558000BrakesJuly 25, 2024 · 534 units

Defect

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.

24V033000Body & StructureJanuary 19, 2024 · 289 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2017-2019 LFS and LFS Artic buses. The driver's door windows may have been built with the incorrect prime glazing manufacturer DOT code mark. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Consequence

An incorrect DOT code mark may result in the window being replaced with an incorrect type of glass, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nova Bus will inspect the windows and either replace the windows or remove the incorrect marking, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus number for this recall is CR5546.

23V714000SeatsOctober 25, 2023 · 514 units

Defect

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.

23V607000Electrical SystemAugust 31, 2023 · 1,189 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2017-2023 LFS and 2017-2022 LFS Artic transit buses. The 24-volt power cable and grounded mounting fastener that secures the fuse holder may short circuit.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can overheat the fuse holder and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.

Remedy

Nova will insect, remove, and clean the fuse holder and cable lugs as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5445. This recall replaces and expands recall number 22V-416. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 22V-416 will need to have the new remedy completed.

22V845000SteeringNovember 15, 2022 · 827 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LFS and 2018-2021 LFS Artic buses equipped with a Bosch steering gear box. The steering gear box may have an insufficient clamp load, which may allow the mounting plate sub-assembly fasteners to loosen and possibly fall out.

Consequence

Missing fasteners may cause a of a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Nova Bus will inspect and tighten the fasteners as an interim remedy. The permanent remedy, consisting of replacing and tightening new fasteners to increase the clamp load, is expected to be available November 30, 2022, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus's number for this recall is CR5342.

22V323000OtherMay 11, 2022 · 307 units

Defect

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.

21V351000Fuel SystemMay 14, 2021 · 644 units

Defect

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.

18V829000Electrical SystemNovember 26, 2018 · 337 units

Defect

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.

2018 Novabus LFS Artic — common questions

Is the 2018 Novabus LFS Artic reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 10 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Novabus LFS Artic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Novabus LFS Artic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.