Recall 21V151 covers 123 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs buses with brake and tail lights mounted too high. Repair is free.
Nova Bus is recalling 123 2008-2021 Lfs buses because the brake lights and tail lights sit above the maximum allowed height. Reduced visibility of those lights can increase crash risk, and Nova Bus dealers will correct the lighting issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The stop lamps and tail lamps on 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs buses are rear exterior lights. Stop lamps brighten when the driver brakes, and tail lamps mark the back of the bus when the lights are on. Their position matters because the lighting standard sets a height range so drivers behind the bus can see the signals where expected.
On affected buses, certain stop lamp and tail lamp configurations place the center line of those lights too high. Nova Bus traced the issue to customer adaptation, meaning the lighting layout used for certain builds moved the lamps outside the allowed height. The lamps themselves are not described as defective; the problem is their location on the bus body.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet operator would not feel a driving change from this issue, because it is a lighting placement noncompliance rather than a broken brake or tail lamp.
Who's affected?
Brake-light and tail-light coverage appears separately for Lfs buses, so the component listed for your vehicle matters when reading the scope below.
| 2021 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2021 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2020 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2019 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2019 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2018 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2018 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2017 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2017 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2008 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2008 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2009 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2009 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2012 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2012 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2011 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2011 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2010 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2010 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2015 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2014 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2013 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2013 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2016 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| 2016 Nova Bus Lfs | Tail lights |
| 2020 Nova Bus Lfs | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 123 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Dim or less visible brake and tail lights make it harder for drivers behind the bus to see stopping and position signals, which increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and confirm the light-component instructions with the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nova Bus dealer to schedule the free lighting-component interchange that moves the brake and tail lights out of the too-high position.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V151 when you call.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since reduced brake and tail light visibility increases crash risk.
- Call Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 with questions about scheduling or owner instructions.
What happens at the repair
A Nova Bus technician follows the recall instructions to interchange the brake light and tail light components with the turn signal light components. The work corrects the lamp position issue covered by campaign 21V151, and parts and labor are free under the recall. Nova Bus has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid out of pocket for this same lamp-position repair before the recall work was completed, contact Nova Bus customer service and ask what documentation is needed for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 9, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 3, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 3, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 3, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 7, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V151?
Recall 21V151 covers 123 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs buses with brake lights and tail lights mounted above the allowed height under FMVSS 108. Reduced visibility of those lights can increase crash risk. Nova Bus provides the lighting-position correction for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 21V151. If it is, contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-800-350-6682 or an authorized Nova Bus service location for the free lighting-position correction. Reference recall number 21V151 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Nova Bus will provide instructions for interchanging the brake light, tail light, and turn signal light components free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear-light visibility. When brake lights and tail lights sit too high, following drivers have less clear notice that the bus is braking or present ahead, which can increase the risk of a crash.
What if I bought the Nova Bus Lfs used?
The free recall correction still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2008-2021 Nova Bus Lfs is included, then contact Nova Bus customer service or an authorized service location with recall number 21V151.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V151000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-800-350-6682 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V151 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V151000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →