Recall 12V132 affects 89 2010-2012 New Flyer XDE40 and XDE35 buses for battery isolation failure. Repair is free at any franchised New Flyer dealer.
New Flyer is recalling 89 2010-2012 XDE40 and XDE35 transit buses because debris and moisture can breach electrical isolation inside the lithium-ion energy storage system. If the battery discharges its stored energy unintentionally, the risk of fire increases; the dealer repair will be free once New Flyer makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The lithium-ion energy storage system on the 2010-2012 New Flyer XDE40 and XDE35 buses is the high-voltage battery pack for the hybrid propulsion system. It stores electrical energy and sends power to the traction drive when the bus is operating. The pack depends on electrical isolation, which means the high-voltage parts stay separated from paths that should not carry current.
On affected buses, dust and other small debris can build up inside the battery system over time. When moisture is present, that material can bridge insulated areas and break down the battery pack's electrical isolation. If isolation is breached at both ends of the battery, the debris and moisture can form a conductive path where electricity can travel outside its intended route.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat the issue as an internal high-voltage battery problem that a New Flyer service technician needs to inspect and repair.
Who's affected?
Spans XDE35 and XDE40 buses across the 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years, all tied to the high-voltage traction battery.
| 2010 New Flyer XDE40 | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2011 New Flyer XDE35 | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2011 New Flyer XDE40 | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2012 New Flyer XDE40 | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 89 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unintended discharge of stored battery energy can increase the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, keep the bus in service only under your operator's safety rules and arrange recall service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised New Flyer dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 New Flyer XDE40 or XDE35 bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised New Flyer dealer to ask whether the free electrical-contactor installation and lithium-ion ESS modification is open for your bus.
- Reference recall number 12V132 when you call New Flyer or the dealer.
- Bring the recall notice if New Flyer mailed one to your fleet or registered owner.
- Keep the bus out of passenger service until New Flyer or the dealer confirms the high-voltage battery isolation repair path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a New Flyer technician installs an electrical contactor and modifies the lithium ion energy storage system on the affected XDE35 and XDE40 buses. The work is meant to address debris and moisture that can compromise electrical isolation in the high voltage battery pack. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| March 26, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V132?
Recall 12V132 covers 89 New Flyer transit buses, including 2010-2012 XDE40 and 2011 XDE35 models. Debris and moisture can breach electrical isolation in the lithium-ion energy storage system. New Flyer dealers will install an electrical contactor and modify the system for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 New Flyer XDE40 or 2011 New Flyer XDE35 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 12V132. If it is, contact a New Flyer dealer to schedule the electrical contactor installation and lithium-ion energy storage system modification. Reference recall number 12V132 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. New Flyer dealers will install the electrical contactor and modify the lithium-ion energy storage system free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If debris and moisture breach electrical isolation at both ends of the high-voltage battery pack, the battery's stored energy can discharge unintentionally, increasing fire risk. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V132000 |
|---|---|
| New Flyer customer service | 1-204-224-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V132 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V132000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →