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Campaign 13V457 Posted September 19, 2013 4,061 units

2000-2011 Nabi Transit Bus Recall 13V457: Fire Risk

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 13V457 covers 4,061 2000-2011 Nabi transit buses for battery equalizers that can conduct electricity and burn. Free dealer replacement.

Nabi is recalling 4,061 2000-2011 Clfw, Brt, Lfw, Opus, and L4RE transit buses with Sure Power battery equalizers. The potting compound inside the equalizer can conduct electricity after heat exposure, then melt or burn; that failure raises the risk of a fire, and the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The Sure Power battery equalizer is part of the electrical system on these 2000-2011 transit buses in the Clfw, Brt, Opus, Lfw, and L4RE lines. A battery equalizer helps manage voltage between the bus battery system and electrical equipment, so lights, controls, and accessories receive the right power level.

Inside the equalizer, an epoxy sealing compound, also called potting, surrounds electrical parts for insulation and protection. In the affected equalizers, that compound loses its insulating role after heat exposure and becomes able to conduct electricity. That creates an unintended path for current inside a part that is supposed to keep circuits separated.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet operator should not count on a dash light, smell, noise, or visible change to identify the problem before the electrical fault occurs.

Who's affected?

Includes Clfw, Brt, Opus, Lfw, and L4RE buses across 2000-2011, all tied to the electrical system.

2010 Nabi Clfw electrical system
2003 Nabi Brt electrical system
2005 Nabi Brt electrical system
2006 Nabi Brt electrical system
2007 Nabi Brt electrical system
Units affected4,061

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

If the material becomes electrically conductive, it can melt and burn, increasing the risk of a fire. Schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer how to handle the vehicle while waiting for the repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Nabi dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2011 Nabi Clfw, Brt, Opus, Lfw, or L4RE bus is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Nabi customer service at 1-256-831-4296 to confirm repair timing before scheduling dealer work.
  3. Reference recall number 13V457 when you call or speak with the dealer service desk.
  4. Ask about the free battery-equalizer replacement that removes the heat-exposed potting compound tied to the fire risk.
  5. Keep the bus out of service if electrical melting, burning, smoke, or heat damage is present, and ask Nabi how to move it safely.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Nabi technician replaces the Sure Power battery equalizers with covered replacement parts. The equalizer helps manage battery voltage, and this recall focuses on units with an epoxy sealing compound that can conduct electricity after heat exposure. If the dealer has not opened final scheduling for your bus yet, the final dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.

Timeline

September 19, 2013 NHTSA published the recall

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 13V457?

Recall 13V457 covers 4,061 2000-2011 Nabi transit buses with Sure Power battery equalizers that contain an epoxy potting compound. After heat exposure, that compound can conduct electricity, melt, and burn, increasing fire risk. Nabi dealers will replace the equalizers for free.

What should I do if my 2000-2011 Nabi Clfw, Brt, Opus, Lfw, or L4RE is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V457. If it is, contact a franchised Nabi dealer to schedule the battery equalizer replacement. Reference recall number 13V457 or Nabi recall number 20136 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Nabi's remedy states that dealers will replace the affected battery equalizers free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at the dealer.

What is the safety risk in recall 13V457?

The safety risk is fire. NHTSA campaign 13V457 states that the potting compound inside the battery equalizer can become electrically conductive after heat exposure, then melt and burn. The repair path is replacement of the affected equalizer at no cost.

When were owners notified about recall 13V457?

Nabi mailed an interim owner letter on January 27, 2014. If you manage one of these buses and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Nabi at 1-256-831-4296 or a franchised Nabi dealer with recall number 13V457.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V457000
Nabi customer service1-256-831-4296
NHTSA recall #13V457
NHTSA recall # (full)13V457000

Source documents

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 →