Recall 19V373 affects 2,620 2016-2020 IC Bus CE and RE school buses for a dragging rear brake caliper. Repair is free at any franchised IC Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 2,620 2016-2020 IC CE and 2019 IC RE school buses under recall 19V373 because the driver side rear brakes can drag on Bendix ADB 22X calipers. Dragging brakes can damage components, trigger the ABS warning light, and raise wheel-end temperatures enough to increase fire risk; an Ic Bus dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The rear brake calipers on these IC Bus school buses are part of an air disc brake system. When the driver presses the brake pedal or sets the parking brake, compressed air pushes the caliper to clamp the brake pads against a rotor at each wheel. An internal adjuster mechanism keeps a small running clearance between the pad and rotor, so the pads release cleanly when the brakes are off.
On affected buses, the left rear caliper adjuster is sensitive to the way school bus duty cycles load the brakes. Frequent service stops and repeated parking brake applications produce high clamp loads, and the adjuster on the left rear self-adjusts in response to pad kick. Over time, the running clearance shrinks until the pad rides against the rotor and the brake drags.
Drivers have reported occasional smoke from the left rear wheel and a burning smell while the bus is moving. In more severe cases, the ABS warning light comes on after heat damages the wheel-speed sensor. Those are the warning signs to act on.
Who's affected?
Covers four IC Bus school-bus models (CE, CESB, RECB, RESB) across five model years, all built with the same air-disc brake calipers.
| 2019 Ic Bus Recb | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ic Bus Ce | brake system |
| 2016 Ic Bus Ce | brake system |
| 2016 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| 2017 Ic Bus Ce | brake system |
| 2019 Ic Bus Resb | brake system |
| 2018 Ic Bus Ce | brake system |
| 2017 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| 2018 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| 2019 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| 2020 Ic Bus Cesb | brake system |
| Units affected | 2,620 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A dragging left rear brake can damage components and trigger the ABS warning light, which forces an unplanned stop to move passengers off the bus. The wheel end can also reach temperatures high enough to start a fire. Watch for smoke from the left rear wheel or an ABS malfunction lamp, and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 IC Bus CE, CESB, RECB, or RESB school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised IC Bus dealer to schedule the left-rear caliper replacement that fixes the dragging brake.
- Reference recall number 19V373 (Navistar recall 19506) when you call the dealer so they pull the correct redesigned adjuster mechanism.
- Call Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825 if you have questions about the repair or owner notification.
- Watch for an ABS warning light or signs of brake drag before the repair, and have the bus inspected promptly if either appears.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an IC Bus technician replaces the left rear brake caliper with a redesigned unit that uses an updated adjuster mechanism. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket for a left rear caliper repair tied to this defect, Navistar's standard reimbursement plan applies, and the customer notification letter includes the instructions for submitting your claim. Bring your repair receipts and the owner letter to the service desk when you arrive so the dealer can route the paperwork to Navistar customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 15, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 12, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 14, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 14, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 14, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V373?
Recall 19V373 covers 2,620 2016-2020 IC Bus CE, CESB, RECB, and RESB school buses with Bendix ADB 22X brake calipers. The driver side rear brake can drag, damaging brake components and increasing the risk of a wheel-end fire. IC Bus dealers will replace the left rear caliper for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2020 IC Bus CE, CESB, RECB, or RESB is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V373. If it is, contact an IC Bus dealer to schedule the left rear caliper replacement with the redesigned adjuster mechanism. Reference recall number 19V373 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Navistar dealers will replace the left rear caliper with the redesigned adjuster mechanism free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised IC Bus dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for?
The ABS warning light is the documented warning sign. A dragging brake can damage brake components and trigger the ABS warning light, which signals the driver to stop the bus and transfer occupants. High temperatures at the wheel end also raise the risk of a fire, so any burning smell or smoke at the rear wheels warrants an immediate stop.
What if I bought my IC Bus used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Navistar never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included, and reference recall number 19V373 when you call the IC Bus dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V373000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V373 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V373000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - 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 →