Recall 20V028 covers 37 2018 Lion Lionc school buses for hydraulic pressure loss that reduces steering and braking assist. Free repair at a franchised Lion dealer.
Lion is recalling 37 2018 Lionc electric school buses because sudden braking combined with a change of direction can reduce hydraulic system pressure, causing loss of power steering and power braking. That loss increases the risk of a crash, and the Lion dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2018 Lion Lionc electric school bus uses a hydraulic power-assist system to help the driver steer and brake. The hydraulic pump builds pressure, and the relief valve is supposed to control that pressure so the system can provide assist when the wheel and brake pedal need it.
On affected buses, Lion changed hydraulic pump suppliers and the relief valve was set at a lower pressure than required. During sudden braking combined with a change of direction, hydraulic pressure can drop below the level needed for assist. When that happens, the steering wheel becomes hard to turn and the brake pedal loses power assist, so the driver has to use more effort to steer and stop.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue was found during a road test, when a technician noticed the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver under non-standard operating conditions.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Lion Lionc | hydraulic brake hose |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 37 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of power steering and power braking makes the vehicle harder to steer and stop, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and avoid extra trips until the work is done. Repair will be free at any franchised Lion dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Lion Lionc is included in this recall.
- Watch for Lion's owner letter, mailed on February 4, 2020, or call Lion customer service if you bought the bus used.
- Contact a franchised Lion dealer to ask about the free hydraulic pressure relief valve replacement that fixes the loss of power steering and power braking.
- Reference recall number 20V028 when you call the dealer or Lion customer service.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete. Avoid sudden braking and sharp direction changes when safe to do so.
What happens at the repair
Lion's planned dealer repair is to replace the hydraulic pressure relief valves. Once the repair is available, a Lion technician will remove the affected valves and install replacement valves, free under the recall. The remedy is tied to the hydraulic system pressure issue described in NHTSA campaign 20V028. Lion has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for related repairs. Contact Lion customer service and ask what documentation is needed for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 21, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| January 24, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 4, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V028?
Recall 20V028 covers 37 2018 Lion Lionc electric school buses with hydraulic pressure relief valves that can lose pressure during sudden braking and a direction change. That pressure loss can remove power steering and power braking, increasing crash risk. Lion dealers will replace the valves 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 20V028. If it is, contact a franchised Lion dealer or Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to schedule the hydraulic pressure relief valve replacement. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Lion dealers will replace the hydraulic pressure relief valves free of charge. The free repair applies even if the school bus changed owners after it was first sold.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of power steering and power braking during a sudden braking and direction-change event. That makes the school bus harder to steer and stop, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free valve replacement with a Lion dealer.
When did Lion start this recall?
Lion started recall 20V028 on February 4, 2020. If you manage or own a 2018 Lion Lionc school bus and never received a notice, check your VIN and reference recall 20V028 when you contact a Lion dealer or Lion customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V028000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V028 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V028000 |
Source documents
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 →