Recall 23V036 affects 14 2019-2023 Lion Lionc school buses for failing hydraulic-pump mounts. Lion will remove the mounts free of charge.
Lion is recalling 14 2019-2023 Lionc school buses because rubber mounts for the main hydraulic pump can wear out and fail, leaving the pump unsecured. An unsecured pump can cause loss of power steering assist or damage the low-voltage harness and cut high-voltage power, which increases crash risk; Lion dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2019-2023 Lion Lionc school bus uses a main hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power assist for steering. The rubber mount is a vibration dampener for that pump. Its job is to hold the pump in position while absorbing vibration from the pump and the surrounding chassis, so the pump stays secured during normal service.
On affected buses in NHTSA campaign 23V036, the rubber mount wears earlier than designed. As the rubber breaks down, it stops supporting the hydraulic pump the way it should. That leaves the pump improperly mounted and unsecured, which is the defect Lion identified after broken supports were found in service.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner, driver, or fleet technician should not count on a warning light, steering feel, or visible symptom to confirm the problem before the mount gives way.
Who's affected?
Spans Lionc buses from the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years, all tied to the same power steering system component.
| 2020 Lion Lionc | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lion Lionc | power steering system |
| 2022 Lion Lionc | power steering system |
| 2023 Lion Lionc | power steering system |
| 2019 Lion Lionc | power steering system |
| Units affected | 14 |
| 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?
An unsecured hydraulic pump can reduce or remove power steering assist. It can also damage the low-voltage harness and cause loss of high-voltage power. Either failure increases crash risk, so schedule the recall repair promptly and treat steering assist loss or power loss as a reason to stop and call Lion. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2023 Lion Lionc is included in this recall.
- Contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to arrange the free technician repair.
- Schedule the rubber-mount removal that addresses the unsecured hydraulic pump and protects power steering assist.
- Bring or have ready the recall notice if Lion mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V036 when you call.
- Avoid driving the bus if power steering assist is lost or high-voltage power drops out before the repair.
What happens at the repair
Lion will dispatch a Lion technician to remove the rubber mounts used around the main hydraulic pump. The work is free under the recall, and the owner does not need to pay for the recall service. Because Lion has a general reimbursement plan on file, documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to this pump-mount condition can be submitted through Lion's standard reimbursement process. Keep repair paperwork and ask Lion customer service how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 30, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 13, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 13, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 14, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V036?
Recall 23V036 covers 14 2019-2023 Lion Lionc school buses with hydraulic pump rubber mounts that can wear early and fail. An unsecured pump can reduce power steering assist or damage the low-voltage harness, increasing crash risk. Lion will remove the rubber mounts for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2023 Lion Lionc is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V036. If it is, contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 and reference recall 23V036. Lion will dispatch a technician to remove the rubber mounts at no charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Lion's remedy states that the rubber mounts will be removed free of charge. The repair is handled through Lion, which dispatches a technician for this campaign.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of power steering assist or loss of high voltage power. The hydraulic pump can become unsecured after the rubber mounts wear and fail, and the loose pump can damage the low-voltage harness. Either problem can increase crash risk.
When were owners notified about recall 23V036?
Lion mailed owner notification letters on February 7, 2023. Used-bus owners or fleet operators who never received a letter should check the VIN and contact Lion customer service with recall number 23V036 so Lion can confirm coverage and arrange the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V036000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V036 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V036000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →