Recall 18V902 affects 475 2019-2020 Ic Bus Cesb school buses for a brake pressure switch defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 475 2019-2020 Cesb school buses with hydraulic brakes because the brake pressure switch can stick, triggering a false fault code and brake warning light. That false warning can prompt a roadside passenger transfer, while a later real brake problem can go unwarned; Ic Bus dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake pressure switch is part of the hydraulic brake warning system on 2019-2020 Ic Bus Cesb school buses. It watches brake pressure and helps the instrument cluster decide when to turn on the brake warning light, so the driver gets a clear signal when the brake system needs attention.
On affected buses, the switch was built with a Viton diaphragm instead of EPDM material. That diaphragm is the small flexible seal inside the switch; in this brake-fluid application, the wrong material can make the switch stick. When the switch sticks, it sends the wrong signal and sets a false fault code, which turns on the brake warning light even though the condition is being caused by the switch.
The warning sign is the brake warning light on the instrument cluster. Treat that light as real until a dealer confirms whether the switch is affected and completes the recall repair.
Who's affected?
Both listed model years use the same hydraulic brake system component.
| 2020 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 475 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
A false brake warning light can trigger an unscheduled roadside stop and passenger transfer, which increases injury risk. If drivers learn to dismiss the warning as false, an actual brake system problem can arrive without a useful alert, increasing crash risk. Treat any brake warning light as real until the bus is checked. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Ic Bus Cesb is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free brake-pressure-switch inspection and replacement that fixes the false brake warning light.
- Bring the recall notice if Ic Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V902 when you call.
- Treat any brake warning light as a service issue until the inspection is complete; do not assume it is a false fault.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician inspects the brake pressure switch and replaces any switch from the suspect lot. The inspection, replacement part, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this same repair before the recall notice, the manufacturer's reimbursement plan applies. Follow the reimbursement instructions included in the customer notification, and bring any repair paperwork that shows the work performed and amount paid.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 30, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 15, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 15, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V902?
Recall 18V902 covers 475 2019-2020 Ic Bus Cesb school buses with hydraulic brakes. The brake pressure switch can stick, triggering a false brake fault code or brake warning light. Ic Bus dealers will inspect the switch and replace any switch from the suspect lot for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Ic Bus Cesb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V902. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the brake pressure switch inspection. Reference recall number 18V902 and Ic Bus recall number 18520 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Ic Bus dealers will inspect the brake pressure switch and replace any switch from the suspect lot free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that a false brake warning can change how the bus is handled. Recall 18V902 says a driver can pull over to transfer passengers after a false warning, increasing injury risk, or ignore a later real brake problem, increasing crash risk.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a brake warning light or brake fault code on the instrument cluster. This recall involves a switch problem that can make the warning false, so do not assume the bus has a normal brake issue or ignore the warning. Have the dealer inspect the switch.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V902000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V902 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V902000 |
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 →