VehicleVerdict

2018 Novabus LFS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2018 Novabus LFS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 16 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

16

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other LFS years?

See all LFS years to avoid →

Does the 2018 Novabus LFS have recalls?

16 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.

26V182000Seat BeltsMarch 24, 2026 · 416 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2016-2018, 2020, 2022-2023 LFS and 2019-2020 LFS Artic transit buses. The driver's seat belt tension-reliving device may fail to disengage without manual intervention. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Failure of the tension-reliving device may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the driver, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Nova Bus will remove the seat belt tension-reliving device, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5873. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 23, 2026.

26V077000SeatsFebruary 10, 2026 · 478 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2013-2019 LFS and 2019-2020 LFS Artic transit buses equipped with Double Transversal seats. The passenger seat mounting rails may crack, causing the seat to detach and fall to the floor.

Consequence

A seat that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury to passengers in or near to the seat.

Remedy

Nova Bus will replace the attachment brackets, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed by April 10, 2026. Owners will receive another notice once remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 11, 2026.

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.

23V350000Seat BeltsMay 17, 2023 · 166 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2012-2022 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

Dealers will adjust the recline angle of the seat-back rest, or add a spacer on the driver's seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5419.

22V902000LightingDecember 7, 2022 · 519 units

Defect

Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2010-2021 LFS and 2009-2012 LFS Artic transit buses. These vehicles are equipped with non-standard color auxiliary lights which may impair the effectiveness of the standard lighting equipment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

The colorful lighting may cause confusion by distracting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will remove the non-standard color lights, or replace them with white lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2023. Owners may contact Nova's customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5350/5351.

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.

21V151000LightingMarch 9, 2021 · 123 units

Defect

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2008-2021 LFS Buses. The center-line height of the brake lights and tail lights is too high, exceeding the maximum height standard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Reduced visibility of the brake and tail lights can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nova will notify owners, and provide instructions for interchanging the positions of the brake light and tail light components with the turn signal light components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2021. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682.

20V354000Electrical SystemJune 15, 2020 · 55 units

Defect

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2016-2019 LFS buses. The safety mechanism that automatically re-opens the pneumatic rear passenger door in case of an obstruction may be inactive under certain conditions, allowing the doors to continue to close.

Consequence

The rear doors may continue to close while an occupant is in the doorway, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Nova will notify owners and will update the software for the safety mechanism, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2020. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682.

19V274000Electrical SystemApril 5, 2019 · 1,221 units

Defect

Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2011-2019 LFS city buses. The engine door fan electrical connector may not be able to handle the required current and may overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2019. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4595.

2018 Novabus LFS — common questions

Is the 2018 Novabus LFS reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 16 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Novabus LFS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Novabus LFS. 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.