Recall 15V166 affects 68 2015-2016 Ic Bus Casb, Cesb, and Resb buses for overheating Haldex brake chambers. Free repair at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 68 2015-2016 Casb, Cesb, and Resb school buses under recall 15V166 because Haldex air brake actuators have an incomplete internal diaphragm attachment. The defect can make brakes drag and overheat, which raises the risk of a wheel-end fire; Ic Bus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air brake actuator on 2015-2016 Ic Bus Casb, Cesb, and Resb school buses is the chamber that turns air pressure into brake force. When the driver presses the brake pedal, air moves the actuator mechanism so the brake applies at the wheel. A rubber diaphragm inside the chamber has to seal and move correctly for that pressure to turn into controlled braking.
On the affected buses, certain Haldex Life Seal spring brake chambers were built with the internal rubber diaphragm not fully attached to the actuation mechanism. Haldex traced the problem to too little installation lubricant on the diaphragm lip, which kept the diaphragm from seating fully in the pressure plate. An internal leak can follow, leaving a brake partly applied and creating brake drag or overheated brakes.
A driver can notice brake drag or a feeling that the bus has lost engine power. Those signs mean the brake chamber is not releasing normally.
Who's affected?
Covers three Ic Bus school bus models across the 2015 and 2016 model years, all tied to the brake system.
| 2015 Ic Bus Casb | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| 2015 Ic Bus Resb | brake system |
| 2016 Ic Bus Resb | brake system |
| Units affected | 68 |
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?
Brake drag can overheat the wheel end and increase the risk of a wheel end fire. Watch for brake drag or a feeling that engine power has dropped, then stop the bus safely and call the dealer. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ic Bus Casb, Cesb, or Resb is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the Haldex Life Seal brake-chamber replacement that addresses dragging or overheated brakes.
- Bring the recall notice if Navistar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V166 when you call.
- Limit driving until the repair is complete; if brakes drag or overheat, park safely and call the dealer before moving the bus again.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician replaces the Haldex Life Seal Brake chambers covered by recall 15V166. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this brake chamber repair before the recall notice, Navistar's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Follow the reimbursement instructions included with the customer notification, and keep any repair paperwork tied to the brake chamber work.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 23, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| May 18, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 18, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 18, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 19, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V166?
Recall 15V166 covers 68 2015-2016 Ic Bus Casb, Cesb, and Resb school buses with Haldex air brake actuators. The brake chamber diaphragm attachment can be incomplete, which can cause brake drag, overheated brakes, and increased risk of a wheel end fire.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ic Bus Casb, Cesb, or Resb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V166. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule replacement of the Haldex Life Seal Brake chambers. Reference recall 15V166 or Navistar recall number 15505 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and dealers will replace the Haldex Life Seal Brake chambers free of charge. The recall remedy began on June 19, 2015.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake drag that overheats the wheel end. If the brakes drag and overheat, there is an increased risk of a wheel end fire. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free brake chamber replacement through a franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Who can I call about recall 15V166?
Call Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825 if you need help with recall 15V166. A dealer service desk can also use Navistar recall number 15505 to identify the repair and confirm the free Haldex Life Seal Brake chamber replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V166000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V166 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V166000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →