Recall 20V123 covers 95 2015-2020 Lion 360 and Lionc school buses with loose steering-box bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
Lion is recalling 95 2015-2020 360 and Lionc school buses because bolts connecting the pitman arm and I-shaft to the power steering box can loosen. That failure can cause a complete loss of steering and increase crash risk, and Lion dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The steering system on 2015-2020 Lion 360 and Lionc school buses depends on solid connections between the steering gear and the linkage that turns the wheels. The pitman arm is the lever attached to the power steering box, and the I-shaft carries the driver's steering input into that box. Those parts need tight, correctly torqued bolts to keep steering movement connected from the wheel to the road.
On affected buses, the bolts connecting the pitman arm and I-shaft to the power steering box were tightened below the required torque. Lion traced the issue to inadequate hardware and thread damage during production tightening, which led to lower torque settings. If those bolted joints loosen enough, the steering connection fails and the bus loses steering control.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, looseness, or a dashboard alert before the steering connection lets go.
Who's affected?
Covers the 360 and Lionc bus lines across the 2015-2020 model years, all tied to the steering system.
| 2015 Lion 360 | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2015 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2019 Lion 360 | steering system |
| 2018 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2019 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2020 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2017 Lion Lionc | steering system |
| 2018 Lion 360 | steering system |
| 2016 Lion 360 | steering system |
| 2017 Lion 360 | steering system |
| 2020 Lion 360 | steering system |
| Units affected | 95 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 20V123 links the defect to a complete loss of steering, which increases the risk of a crash. Since the filing gives no warning sign before failure, schedule the repair soon and stop driving if steering no longer responds normally. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2020 Lion 360 or Lionc school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lion dealer to schedule the free pitman-arm and I-shaft bolt replacement that secures the steering connection.
- Bring the recall notice if Lion has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V123 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary trips until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the steering feels loose or changes suddenly.
- Call Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 with repair questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lion technician replaces the pitman arm bolts and steering I-shaft bolts that connect the steering parts to the power steering box. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Lion already notified owners, and the recall repair has been open since March 12, 2020. The service desk can use the campaign details to set up the bolt replacement before service.
Timeline
| March 2, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 12, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 27, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V123?
Recall 20V123 covers 95 2015-2020 Lion 360 and Lionc school buses with pitman arm and I-shaft bolts that can loosen at the power steering box. Lion will replace the pitman and I-shaft bolts.
What should I do if my 2015-2020 Lion 360 or Lionc is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm the specific bus is included in recall 20V123. If it is, contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 or a franchised Lion service location to schedule the pitman and I-shaft bolt replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the steering defect at no cost. Lion will replace the pitman and I-shaft bolts for included 2015-2020 Lion 360 and Lionc school buses.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a complete loss of steering control. Loose bolts at the power steering box can affect the pitman arm and I-shaft connection, and a complete loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
When did Lion begin this recall?
Lion began the recall on March 12, 2020. Lion has notified owners, and included buses are eligible for the pitman and I-shaft bolt replacement through Lion customer service or a franchised Lion service location.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V123000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V123 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V123000 |
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 →