Recall 20V697 affects 8 2016-2019 Lion Lionc and 360 school buses for seat-belt and wheelchair-anchor detachments. Free repair at any franchised Lion dealer.
Lion is recalling 8 2016-2019 Lionc and 360 school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts because the shoulder belt and ground anchors for wheelchair securement can detach in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for the wheelchair occupant, and Lion dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair restraint system in affected 2016-2019 Lion Lionc and 360 school buses uses shoulder belts and ground anchors to secure a wheelchair position. The shoulder belt helps hold the passenger upright, and the floor anchors give the tiedown straps a fixed point so the wheelchair stays in place during normal travel.
The defect is in those restraint anchor points. Lion found during certification testing that the shoulder belt and ground anchors did not meet the school bus passenger seating and crash protection standard. In a crash, those anchors can detach instead of holding the wheelchair and passenger restraint system in place.
An owner, driver, or attendant will not see a normal driving symptom from this problem. There is no warning sign before failure, because the defect shows up when the restraint system is loaded in a crash.
Who's affected?
Covers two Lion bus models across four model years, all tied to the seat belt component.
| 2017 Lion Lionc | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2019 Lion Lionc | seat belt |
| 2018 Lion Lionc | seat belt |
| 2018 Lion 360 | seat belt |
| 2016 Lion 360 | seat belt |
| 2017 Lion 360 | seat belt |
| 2019 Lion 360 | seat belt |
| 2016 Lion Lionc | seat belt |
| Units affected | 8 |
| 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.
What's the safety risk?
If the shoulder belt and floor anchors detach during a crash, the belt no longer restrains the occupant as designed, increasing injury risk. Confirm with your VIN and schedule the repair soon, especially before carrying passengers. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2019 Lion Lionc or 360 school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lion dealer to schedule the free floor-rivet and seat-belt screw repair that reinforces the wheelchair restraint anchors.
- Bring the recall notice if Lion has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V697 when you call.
- Avoid using the wheelchair restraint position until the repair is complete when another safe seating arrangement is available.
- Call Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 with questions about the school bus repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lion technician adds a rivet to reinforce the floor and changes the screws on the seat belt for the wheelchair lift anchorage. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Lion has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the notice. Bring repair invoices or payment records to the service desk, or contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 12, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 16, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 23, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V697?
Recall 20V697 covers 8 2016-2019 Lion Lionc and 360 school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. The shoulder belt and ground anchors that hold a wheelchair in place can detach during a crash, increasing injury risk to the occupant.
What should I do if my 2016-2019 Lion Lionc or 360 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 20V697. If it is, contact a franchised Lion dealer or Lion Electric customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to schedule the free reinforcement repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Lion dealers will add a rivet to reinforce the floor and change the seat-belt screws free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V697?
The risk is occupant injury during a crash. If the wheelchair shoulder belt and ground anchors detach, the wheelchair restraint system does not hold the occupant as designed, which increases the chance of injury.
What if I bought a used Lion school bus?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then reference recall 20V697 when you call a Lion dealer or Lion Electric customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V697000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V697 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V697000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →