VehicleVerdict

2021 Novabus LFS Artic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2021 Novabus LFS Artic — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 11 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

Does the 2021 Novabus LFS Artic have recalls?

11 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.

24V657000Electrical SystemSeptember 9, 2024 · 208 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2019-2024 LFS and 2019-2023 LFS Artic buses. The auxiliary heater module may allow contaminants to enter the electronic controller, which can cause an electrical short. Additionally, the auxiliary heater may fail, causing the defrosting system to not function properly.

Consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, a windshield defrosting system that does not function properly can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nova Bus will the auxiliary heater air intake, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2025. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus's number for this recall is CR5637.

24V518000BrakesJuly 8, 2024 · 900 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2021-2024 LFS and 2021-2023 LFS Artic buses. An air leak may occur in the parking brake valve and unintentionally engage the parking brake without activating the brake lights.

Consequence

A bus that stops suddenly without activating brake lights increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nova Bus will inspect and tighten the parking brake air line connections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2024. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus's number for this recall is CR5615.

24V203000Electrical SystemMarch 17, 2024 · 608 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LFS Artic and 2021-2023 LFS buses. The alternator power cable nut may not have been tightened properly.

Consequence

A loose nut can cause electrical arcing, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nova will inspect and tighten the power cable nut as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5570.

23V763000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)November 11, 2023 · 339 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2020-2023 LFS and LFS Artic transit buses. The brackets retaining the Mobile Climate Control HVAC Unit could fail and allow the unit to detach from the bus.

Consequence

An HVAC unit that detaches from a bus can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nova Bus will inspect the existing brackets and install additional brackets, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6882. Nova Bus's number for this recall is CR5508.

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.

23V482000TransmissionJuly 12, 2023 · 414 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2019-2023 LFS and LFS Artic transit buses. The transmission yoke may separate, resulting in driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.

Consequence

A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a disabled bus may require an evacuation procedure in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the output yoke bolts, and if necessary, tighten loose output yoke bolts, free of charge. Phase 1 will include 2019-2023 LFS vehicles. Nova notified dealers on 10/03/2024 and notified Phase 1 owners on 10/27/2024. Phase 2 will include 2019-2020 LFS Artic vehicles. Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 27, 2023. A second notice will be mailed to Phase 2 owners once the remedy is available, expected in January 2025. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5442.

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.

22V416000Electrical SystemJune 13, 2022 · 273 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2019-2021 LFS and 2019-2022 LFS Artic buses. The radiator fan's electrical fuse holder may experience excessive corrosion which can result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nova Bus will provide the remedy parts and service document instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2022. Owners may contact Nova Bus' customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5259.

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.

20V568000SteeringSeptember 21, 2020 · 223 units

Defect

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2020 Nova Bus LFS transit buses. Certain power steering pipes from the rear engine bay to the front gear box may separate at the connection joint. This may cause a power steering assist lost and power steering fluid may leak from the ceiling into the passenger compartment.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash. A power steering fluid leak into the passenger cabin may increase the risk of a passenger injury.

Remedy

Nova Bus will notify owners, provide instructions for inspecting and replacing the power steering pipes, free of charge. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4963.

2021 Novabus LFS Artic — common questions

Is the 2021 Novabus LFS Artic reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 11 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2021 Novabus LFS Artic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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.