Recall 16V838 affects 157 2011-2016 Ic Bus Ce and Be buses for a heater-hose leak. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 157 2011-2016 Ce and Be transit buses because a formed heater hose at the driver heater shutoff valve can fatigue and split. Hot pressurized coolant can leak into the operator's foot area, increasing the risk of burn injury or crash, and Ic Bus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2011-2016 Ic Bus Ce and Be buses in this recall use a formed heater hose near the water shutoff valve inside the bus, forward of the driver's heater. That hose carries hot engine coolant through the heater circuit so the driver's area can get cabin heat while the engine cooling system stays sealed.
On affected buses, repeated heat and high-pressure cycles can break down the hose from the inside. The yarn reinforcement that gives the hose strength can damage the rubber around it. Over time, the formed hose can split or burst, sending hot engine coolant into the driver's foot area instead of keeping it inside the cooling system.
The warning signs are visible hose damage during inspection: hardness, cracks, blisters, or splits. Heater and coolant hoses should be checked each year, and any damaged hose should be treated as a sign that the part is failing.
Who's affected?
Covers Ce buses across 2011-2016 and Be buses for 2012, all tied to cooling-system hoses, lines, piping, or fittings.
| 2014 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
|---|---|
| 2015 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2012 Ic Bus Be | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2016 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2011 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2012 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2013 Ic Bus Ce | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| Units affected | 157 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
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?
Hot, pressurized coolant spilling into the operator's foot area raises the risk of burn injury or a crash. Keep heater and coolant hoses inspected for hardness, cracks, blisters, or splits, and schedule service promptly if any damage is found. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Ic Bus Ce or Be bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free formed heater hose replacement that stops hot coolant from leaking into the driver's foot area.
- Reference recall number 16V838 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Ic Bus mailed one.
- Keep the bus out of service if hot coolant leaks into the driver's foot area, and ask the dealer about towing if it needs to be moved.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician replaces the formed heater hose for the driver heater area with an improved hose. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you paid out of pocket for this heater hose repair before the owner notification, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan applies. Follow the reimbursement instructions included in the customer notification, or ask Ic Bus customer service how to submit the required repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 18, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 6, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| January 6, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 6, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 6, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V838?
Recall 16V838 covers 157 Ic Bus transit buses with a formed heater hose that can fatigue, split, and leak hot engine coolant into the driver's foot area. The affected group includes 2011-2016 Ic Bus Ce buses and one 2012 Ic Bus Be bus.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Ic Bus Ce or 2012 Ic Bus Be is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V838. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the heater-hose replacement. Reference recall number 16V838 and Navistar recall number 16511 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ic Bus dealers will replace the formed heater hose free of charge under recall 16V838.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hot, pressurized coolant entering the operator's foot area. That can increase the risk of a burn injury or a crash. Until the repair is complete, keep operators alert for coolant leaks near the driver's foot area and arrange service promptly if the VIN is included.
What if I bought the Ic Bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Ic Bus Ce or Be is included, then call a franchised Ic Bus dealer with recall number 16V838.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V838000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V838 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V838000 |
Source documents
-
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →