Recall 15V735 covers 304 2010-2015 Nova Bus Lfs, Lfs Artic, and Nova Lfs buses. Passenger-counter cover repair is free at Nova Bus dealers.
Nova Bus is recalling 304 2010-2015 Nova Lfs, Lfs, and Lfs Artic transit buses because the passenger-counter optical sensor housing sits where a passenger's arm can be pinched by the door. A passenger can be injured if an arm is caught, and Nova Bus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2010-2015 Nova Bus Lfs, Lfs Artic, and Nova Lfs transit buses use an optical sensor as part of the passenger counter system. That sensor helps count people as they enter or leave through the door area. Its housing sits near the passenger door, where riders place their hands and arms while boarding or standing near the opening.
On the recalled buses, the sensor housing location creates a pinch point. A passenger's arm can be caught between the passenger counter housing and the door as the door moves. Nova Bus traced the issue to a design used in limited applications, and the fix adds a longer cover and warning label to change how that area is guarded.
There is no warning sign before failure. The risk comes from where the housing is mounted, so a rider does not get a dashboard light, sound, or other advance notice before the pinch point is present.
Who's affected?
Spans Lfs, Lfs Artic, and Nova Lfs buses across the 2010-2015 model years, all tied to the body structure at the door.
| 2013 Nova Bus Lfs | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs | body structure |
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs | body structure |
| 2013 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | body structure |
| 2010 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | body structure |
| 2012 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | body structure |
| 2011 Nova Bus Nova Lfs | body structure |
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | body structure |
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | body structure |
| Units affected | 304 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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?
Passengers can be injured if an arm gets caught in the door. Keep riders clear of the door area and schedule the recall repair so the passenger counter system receives its longer protective cover and warning label. Repair is free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2015 Nova Bus Lfs, Lfs Artic, or Nova Lfs is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nova Bus dealer to schedule the free protective-cover and warning-label repair that keeps passengers' arms away from the passenger-counter housing at the door.
- Bring the recall notice if Nova Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V735 and Nova Bus recall CR3492 or CR3493 when you call.
- Keep passengers' arms clear of the door area until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nova Bus technician installs a longer protective cover over the passenger counter system and adds a warning label. The work is meant to keep a passenger's arm from being pinched between the passenger counter housing and the door. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this passenger counter repair, Nova Bus has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented expenses. Ask the service desk how to submit your repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 5, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 23, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 23, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 23, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V735?
Recall 15V735 covers 304 2010-2015 Nova Bus Lfs, Lfs Artic, and Nova Lfs transit buses with a passenger-counter optical sensor positioned near the door. A passenger's arm can be pinched between the counter housing and the door. Nova Bus dealers install a longer protective cover and warning label for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2015 Nova Bus Lfs, Lfs Artic, or Nova Lfs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V735. If it is, contact a Nova Bus dealer or Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 to arrange the protective cover and warning label installation. Reference recall 15V735 and Nova Bus recall numbers CR3492 and CR3493 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Nova Bus will install the longer protective cover over the passenger counter system and add the warning label free of charge through its dealer network.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is passenger injury at the door. The passenger-counter optical sensor housing is positioned so a passenger's arm can be caught between that housing and the door. The free repair adds a longer protective cover and warning label to reduce that pinch hazard.
When did Nova Bus begin this recall repair?
Nova Bus began the recall repair on November 23, 2015. The remedy is available now, so an included bus does not need to wait for a future launch date. Contact a Nova Bus dealer or Nova Bus customer service and reference recall 15V735.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V735000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-800-350-6682 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V735 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V735000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →