2008 Nova Bus Nova LFS Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2008 LFS transit buses manufactured January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2008. Surrounding material may interfere with opening of the emergency exit windows, making them more difficult to open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Risk: An emergency exit that is difficult to open may hinder egress in the event of an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Nova has notified owners, and dealers removed any material that restricted the opening of the emergency exit, free of charge. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's number for this recall is CR1314.

Problem: Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 LFS transit buses manufactured January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009. A power feed cable in the battery compartment may have been incorrectly routed and clipped. As a result, the battery cable may prematurely wear and short to ground.

Risk: A battery cable that shorts to ground increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nova notified owners, and dealers inspected the buses and correctly routed the battery power feed cable, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's number for this recall is CR1332.

Problem: Nova Bus is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2006-2013 LFS transit buses. Due to a programming error in the vehicle control unit, the ABS malfunction light may not illuminate if the ABS control unit loses power. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk: If the ABS malfunction light does not illuminate if the ABS control unit loses power, the driver would not be aware that the ABS is not functional and that the brakes may unexpectedly lock up under certain conditions when the brakes are applied, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Nova Bus will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late August 2014. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR3200.

Problem: Nova bus is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 transit buses equipped with atc (automatic traction control) system and v-bea multiplexing system manufactured from april 2, 2007 through june 30, 2010. The atc system may inadvertently activate whenever the parking brake or the brake interlock is applied, since the vehicle's multiplex program did not correctly send the parking brake or interlock signal to the atc system. The atc system could misinterpret this situation as wheel spin, subsequently applying and releasing the applied brakes. The vehicle could then move unexpectedly.

Risk: The vehicle may move inadvertently even when the parking brake is applied increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the system and the engine's ecu free of charge. The safety recall began on july 22, 2010. Owners may contact nova bus at 450-472-6410.

Problem: Nova bus has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2007-2010 lfs buses equipped with modine roof mounted radiator. The wrong type of o-ring was installed at the locations by the radiator manufacturer, modine. The o-rings must be viton type o-rings.

Risk: Deterioration of these o-rings may occur and leaking or seepage of hydraulic oil.

Fix: Dealers will install viton o-rings free of charge. The safety recall began on may 11, 2010. Owners may contact nova bus at 450-472-6410.

Problem: Nova bus is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2009 lfs transit buses equipped with luminator horizon led side destination signs. The connector board can corrode due to an accumulation of moisture under the connector.

Risk: A short could occur, possibly causing smoke and fire.

Fix: Nova bus will notify owners and luminator will repair the buses free of charge. Please see luminator's defect report 09e-054. The safety recall began on february 26, 2010. Owners may contact luminator at 1-972-516-3033 or nova bus at 1-450-472-6410.