Recall 11V158 affects 198 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs buses for under-torqued drag-link bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer.
Nova Bus is recalling 198 2009 Nova Lfs transit buses under recall 11V158 because drag link attachment bolts were not tightened enough during production. If the drag link separates from the steering linkage, the driver can lose vehicle control and crash; the Nova Bus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The drag link on the 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs is part of the steering linkage. It connects the steering gear to the rest of the steering assembly, so the driver's steering input reaches the wheels. The bolts at the drag link attachment point have to stay tight for that connection to hold under normal road vibration and steering loads.
In NHTSA campaign 11V158, Nova Bus reported that the drag link attachment bolts did not receive enough torque during production. Torque is the tightening force applied to a bolt. If the bolts loosen, the drag link can separate from the steering linkage. Once that connection separates, steering control is lost.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is at the bolted steering connection, so an owner or driver should not expect a dashboard light or gradual symptom before the linkage separates.
Who's affected?
| 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | steering linkage |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 198 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of vehicle control can result in a crash. Because this recall concerns drag-link torque, schedule the documentation check and correction before regular service. Repair will be free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nova Bus dealer to ask for the drag-link torque documentation and free torque correction.
- Reference recall number 11V158 when you call, so the dealer can match the repair to the steering drag-link attachment bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if Nova Bus sent one, or ask Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410 for the correct documentation.
- Operate the bus cautiously until the torque check is complete. Loss of steering control is the safety risk in this recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nova Bus technician verifies the drag link attachment bolt torque values and corrects the drag link torque when needed. Nova Bus also provides owners with the correct documentation to verify those torque values. The torque correction is free under the recall. The filing does not give an estimated shop time, so confirm the visit details with the service desk before bringing the bus in.
Timeline
| March 10, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 16, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V158?
Recall 11V158 covers 198 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs transit buses with drag link attachment bolts that received insufficient torque during production. The drag link can detach from the steering linkage, causing loss of vehicle control and crash risk. Nova Bus provides torque verification or dealer correction free of charge.
What should I do if my 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 11V158. If it is, contact a franchised Nova Bus dealer and ask for the drag link torque verification or correction. Reference recall number 11V158 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Nova Bus stated that a dealer can perform the correct drag link torque value free of charge at the customer's option.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V158?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. In recall 11V158, insufficient torque on the drag link attachment bolts can let the drag link detach from the steering linkage. That failure path increases crash risk, so confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer correction.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V158000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-450-472-6410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V158 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V158000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →