Recall 18V020 affects 283 2016-2017 New Flyer transit buses for loose front-axle ABS modulator air-brake hoses. Repair is free at any franchised New Flyer dealer.
New Flyer is recalling 283 2016-2017 transit buses, including the XDE60, because front axle ABS modulator valve air brake hose connections were not properly tightened. If a hose disconnects, the front axle brakes lose brake force, stopping distance increases, and crash risk rises; New Flyer dealers will inspect and tighten the connections free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front axle ABS modulator valves on these 2016-2017 New Flyer XT60, XN40, XDE60, XDE40, and XD40 buses control air pressure to the front brakes during anti-lock braking. The air brake hoses feed compressed air into those valves, so the brake system depends on those hose connections staying tight under repeated brake applications.
On affected buses, the hose connections at the front axle ABS modulator valves were not tightened to the required torque. New Flyer traced the problem to an engineering drawing that was sent to the wrong production station, leaving installers without the exact torque specification at that work area. A loose connection can let the air brake hose disconnect from the valve.
There is no warning sign before the hose disconnects. After it fails, the driver will hear a loud hissing noise at the front axle during braking, see the front air tank pressure drop while applying the brakes, and then get a low-air warning lamp and buzzer.
Who's affected?
Covers 5 New Flyer bus models across the 2016-2017 model years, all tied to the same anti-lock brake system (ABS) component.
| 2017 New Flyer XT60 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
|---|---|
| 2017 New Flyer XN40 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2017 New Flyer XDE60 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2017 New Flyer XDE40 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2017 New Flyer XD40 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2016 New Flyer XDE60 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| Units affected | 283 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
If the brake hose disconnects from the ABS modulator valve, the front axle brakes lose brake force. That lengthens stopping distance and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning before failure. After failure, treat a loud hissing noise, dropping front air tank pressure, or a low air pressure warning as a reason to stop operating the bus and call for service. Repair is free at any franchised New Flyer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 New Flyer XD40, XDE40, XN40, XT60, or XDE60 bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised New Flyer dealer to schedule the free air-brake-hose tightening that keeps the front axle ABS modulator hose connected.
- Bring the recall notice if New Flyer mailed one, or reference recall number 18V020 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and allow extra stopping distance because a disconnected hose leaves the front axle brake assemblies without brake force.
- Call New Flyer customer service at 1-204-224-6706 with questions about New Flyer recall R18-001.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a New Flyer technician reconnects the front axle ABS modulator valve air hose connections and tightens them to the proper specification. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. New Flyer uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work. Keep repair orders and payment records, and ask New Flyer customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 11, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 15, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 15, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V020?
Recall 18V020 covers 283 2016-2017 New Flyer XD40, XDE40, XN40, XT60, and XDE60 transit buses with front-axle ABS modulator valve air brake hose connections that were not tightened correctly. New Flyer will reconnect the air hose to the proper tightness for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 New Flyer XD40, XDE40, XN40, XT60, or XDE60 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V020. If it is, contact New Flyer or a franchised New Flyer service location to schedule the air brake hose reconnection. Reference recall number 18V020 and New Flyer recall R18-001 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and New Flyer will reconnect the affected front-axle ABS modulator valve air hose free of charge. The recall repair has been available since January 11, 2018.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V020?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance. If the air brake hose disconnects from the ABS modulator valve, the front axle brake assemblies receive no brake force, increasing crash risk. Ask New Flyer or the servicing dealer whether the bus should stay out of service until inspected.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V020000 |
|---|---|
| New Flyer customer service | 1-204-224-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V020 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V020000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →