Recall 19V511 affects 802 2014-2017 Nova Bus LFS and LFS Artic buses for improperly tightened cantilever seat hardware. Repair is free at a Nova Bus dealer.
Nova Bus is recalling 802 2014-2017 Lfs and Lfs Artic transit buses under recall 19V511 because the hardware attaching USSC cantilever seats to the side rail was not properly tightened. An occupied seat can drop to the floor and injure the rider, and the Nova Bus dealer repair will be free once the final remedy is open.
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What's wrong?
The cantilever passenger seats on these Nova Bus LFS and LFS Artic buses mount to a side rail along the wall of the bus. The seat bracket bolts to that rail, and the hardware torque is what keeps the seat anchored when a passenger sits down or shifts weight during a stop. The whole assembly depends on those fasteners being tightened to the correct specification.
On affected buses, the hardware attaching the seat bracket to the side rail was not tightened to the proper torque during assembly. Over time and normal route service, the under-tightened fasteners work loose. The repeated load cycles then cause the seat rail to crack from fatigue. Once the rail fails or the hardware backs out far enough, the cantilever seat can drop to the floor with a passenger on it.
Before the seat lets go, operators and riders often notice visible cracks in the seat rail or hardware that feels loose, rattles, or has broken pieces. Those are the warning signs.
Who's affected?
Covers both the Lfs and Lfs Artic across four model years (2014-2017), all sharing the same seat assembly.
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs | seat assembly |
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat assembly |
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat assembly |
| 2017 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat assembly |
| 2017 Nova Bus Lfs | seat assembly |
| 2016 Nova Bus Lfs | seat assembly |
| 2016 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 802 |
| 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 in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A cantilever seat that drops while occupied can injure the rider. Watch for cracks in the seat rail or loose hardware, and take the bus out of service if either appears before the inspection. Once the recall opens, the dealer inspects the seat rails and replaces any cracked rails or loose hardware. Repair will be free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer once Nova Bus opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Nova Bus LFS or LFS Artic is included in this recall.
- Wait for the owner notification from Nova Bus, since the final repair is still under development.
- Contact a Nova Bus service location once the remedy opens to schedule the seat-rail inspection and hardware replacement that fixes the cantilever seats at risk of dropping to the floor.
- Reference recall number 19V511 (Nova recall CR4663) when you call so the service desk can pull the correct repair instructions.
- Call Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 with questions about timing, parts, or interim guidance.
- Keep occupants off any cantilever seat that feels loose or shifts under weight until the inspection and repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
Nova Bus dealers inspect the cantilever seat attachment hardware on the side rail and replace the seat rails and hardware as needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Because the remedy is still under development, the final dealer repair will be free once Nova Bus opens it. Owners can reach Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 and reference recall number CR4663 to confirm parts availability and schedule the inspection once the repair is ready.
Timeline
| July 2, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 30, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 30, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 30, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 30, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 30, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V511?
Recall 19V511 covers 802 2014-2017 Nova Bus LFS and LFS Artic buses equipped with USSC cantilever seats. The hardware attaching the seats to the side rail was improperly tightened, so a seat can drop to the floor. If the seat is occupied when it drops, the occupant faces an increased injury risk.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Nova Bus LFS or LFS Artic is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V511. If it is, contact a Nova Bus dealer to schedule the cantilever seat inspection. The dealer will inspect the seat rails and hardware and replace them as necessary at no cost. Reference recall number 19V511 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Nova Bus dealers will inspect and replace the seat rails and hardware as necessary free of charge, regardless of where the bus was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk from this recall?
If a cantilever seat drops while it is occupied, the occupant faces an increased risk of injury. The hardware that secures the seat to the side rail was improperly tightened, so the seat can fall to the floor without warning. Keep affected seats unoccupied until the dealer completes the inspection and any needed replacement.
How do I contact Nova Bus about this recall?
Call Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 and reference recall number 19V511 or Nova's internal number CR4663. Before you call, check your VIN to confirm your bus is included. The dealer will inspect the cantilever seat rails and hardware and replace them as necessary at no cost.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V511000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-800-350-6682 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V511 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V511000 |
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 →