Recall 15V071 covers 30 2009-2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs buses with rear axle half shafts that can fail. Repairs were completed free of charge.
Nova Bus is recalling 30 2009-2010 Nova Lfs transit buses with ZFAV132 rear axles because inadequate surface treatment can lead to rear axle half shaft failure. If the half shaft fails, the bus can be disabled and crash risk increases; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle half shafts on a 2009-2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs are heavy steel shafts inside the rear axle assembly. They transfer driving force from the axle differential to the wheel ends, so the bus moves when the driver applies throttle. The ZFAV132 rear axle depends on those shafts staying intact under repeated stop-and-go transit service.
On the recalled buses, the rear axle half shafts received an inadequate surface treatment during production. That surface treatment is part of the finishing process that helps the metal withstand load and wear. When it is not done correctly, the shaft is more vulnerable to failure during service, which can interrupt power delivery through the rear axle.
There is no warning sign before failure. A bus operator or maintenance crew should not count on noise, vibration, or a dashboard warning before the axle shaft fails.
Who's affected?
Covers the same Nova Lfs bus model across the 2009 and 2010 model years, with the drive axle named for each year.
| 2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2009 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | drive axle |
| Units affected | 30 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A failed axle half shaft can disable the bus, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule service promptly, and avoid putting the bus on routes where a breakdown would create a traffic hazard. Repair will be free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs is included in this recall.
- Contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410 to confirm whether recall number 15V071 is already closed for your bus.
- Ask for the repair record for the rear-axle half-shaft issue that can disable the bus if the shaft fails.
- Keep the recall notice or service paperwork with the bus maintenance file.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nova Bus technician would address the rear axle half shaft condition covered by recall 15V071. The source remedy says Nova Bus notified affected owners and that all affected buses have been repaired free of charge. The repair path is therefore a no cost dealer repair tied to the rear axle half shafts, with parts and labor covered by the recall. Keep the completed repair paperwork with the bus records.
Timeline
| February 6, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 10, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V071?
Recall 15V071 covers 30 2009-2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs transit buses with ZFAV132 rear axles. The rear axle half shafts received inadequate surface treatment, which can lead to axle shaft failure. Nova Bus notified owners and repaired all affected buses for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V071. If it is, confirm the axle half shaft repair is complete with Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Reference Nova Bus recall number BS1555 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Nova Bus stated that owners were notified and all affected buses were repaired free of charge under recall 15V071.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a disabled bus and increased crash risk if an axle half shaft fails. The defect is in the rear axle half shaft surface treatment. Nova Bus completed the free repair for all affected buses, but VIN confirmation still matters for fleet records.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V071000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-450-472-6410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V071 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V071000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →