Recall 18V315 affects 7,859 2018-2019 Ic Bus Cesb and Resb school buses for hard-to-open emergency windows. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 7,859 2018-2019 Cesb and Resb school buses under recall 18V315 because the emergency-window release handle can be hard to pull. Extra force at an emergency exit can slow evacuation and increase injury risk, so Ic Bus dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The emergency window release mechanism on the 2018-2019 Ic Bus Cesb and Resb school buses is the latch and handle that lets passengers open an emergency exit window. In a crash or fire, that handle is supposed to release the window quickly so passengers can leave the bus without waiting for a door.
On affected buses, the latch mechanism can bind enough that the release handle takes too much force to pull. Navistar found window release handles above the 89 Newtons, or 20 pounds, limit set for this emergency-exit system. The fix is to apply dry lubricant to the latch assembly and cycle the handle so the lubricant works into the moving parts.
The warning sign is a stiff emergency-window handle during inspection or use. If the handle is hard to pull, passengers can have trouble opening the window when a quick exit is needed.
Who's affected?
The Cesb appears in the 2018 and 2019 model years, while the Resb appears for 2019 only; all scopes involve the emergency exit structure.
| 2019 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ic Bus Cesb | body or structural component |
| 2019 Ic Bus Resb | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 7,859 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 50 field incidents 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?
A release handle that takes extra force can slow passengers who need to leave the bus during an emergency. That delay increases injury risk. Treat any hard-to-pull release handle as a service issue and schedule the recall repair. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Ic Bus Cesb or Resb school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free dry-lubricant service for the emergency-window latch assembly that can be difficult to open.
- Bring the recall notice if one was mailed. If not, reference recall number 18V315 when you call.
- Confirm the emergency-window release handles open without extra force until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician applies dry lubricant to the emergency window latch assembly so the release mechanism opens as intended. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related latch or emergency window release repair before the owner notification, the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan applies. Follow the reimbursement instructions included with the customer notification, and keep any repair invoice or payment proof with your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 13, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 13, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 13, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 13, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V315?
Recall 18V315 covers 7,859 2018-2019 Ic Bus Cesb and Resb school buses with emergency window release handles that require extra force to open. The buses fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 217 for emergency exits and window release. Dealers apply dry lubricant to the latch assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Ic Bus Cesb or Resb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V315. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the emergency window latch repair. Reference recall 18V315 or Ic Bus recall 18508 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Ic Bus dealer will apply dry lubricant to the emergency window latch assembly free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency exit through the bus windows. If extra force is needed to pull the release handle, people inside the bus face a higher risk of injury during an emergency. The dealer repair restores the latch movement needed for emergency window release.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on June 13, 2018. Owners can contact Ic Bus customer service at 1-800-448-7825 or call a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free latch lubrication repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V315000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V315 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V315000 |
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 →