Recall 19V640 affects 9 2018 Lion Lionc electric school buses for loose auxiliary brake pump connectors. Lion fixes the connectors for free.
Lion is recalling 9 2018 Lionc electric school buses because electrical contacts for the auxiliary brake pump power connector can be loose. If the main hydraulic pump fails, loose connectors can lead to a loss of braking ability and increase the risk of a crash; Lion dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The auxiliary brake pump on the 2018 Lion Lionc electric school bus supports the service brake system. It needs a steady electrical connection so the pump receives power when the braking system calls for it.
On affected buses, the wiring harness connector for that pump was built with the wrong electrical contacts. Contacts are the small metal terminals inside the connector that hold the wire ends in place and let current pass through. Because the contacts do not match the connector design, they fail to stay secured and create a bad connection. When that connection opens, the auxiliary brake pump stops working.
There is no warning sign before failure. The pump can stop working without a dashboard message, noise, or change that the driver notices first.
Who's affected?
The same buses are listed under brake-system and wiring components, so the component label alone does not decide inclusion.
| 2018 Lion Lionc | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Lion Lionc | wiring |
| Units affected | 9 |
| 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?
Loose auxiliary pump connectors can leave the backup braking system unable to help if the main hydraulic pump fails, causing loss of braking ability. That raises crash risk. Schedule recall repair soon. If brake performance changes, stop using the vehicle and contact Lion. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Lion Lionc is included in this recall.
- Contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to schedule the free auxiliary-brake-pump connector correction.
- Have the recall notice ready if Lion mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V640 when you call.
- Ask Lion whether a representative will come to your location for the free repair.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and remove the bus from route service if brake performance changes.
What happens at the repair
At the service visit, a Lion representative corrects the power connector for the auxiliary brake pump so the electrical contacts are secured properly. The repair is free under the recall, and Lion handles the work through its representatives rather than asking owners to pay for parts or labor. Lion has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related connector repair before the recall work. If that applies to you, ask Lion customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 16, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| August 30, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V640?
Recall 19V640 covers 9 2018 Lion Lionc electric school buses with auxiliary brake pump power connectors that are not secured properly. If the main hydraulic pump fails, loose auxiliary pump connectors can reduce braking ability and increase crash risk. Lion will correct the connectors for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Lion Lionc is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 19V640. If it is, contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 and reference Lion recall QA20190050. Lion representatives will visit owners and correct the auxiliary brake pump connectors for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost to the owner. For recall 19V640, Lion representatives will visit owners and secure the auxiliary brake pump connectors free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking ability if the main hydraulic pump fails and the auxiliary pump connectors are loose. That condition increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free connector correction with Lion before relying on the vehicle for regular service.
When did Lion start the recall repair?
Lion began the recall repair on May 16, 2019. Because that date has passed, owners of included 2018 Lion Lionc school buses should contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to confirm the free connector correction and service visit.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V640000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V640 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V640000 |
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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →