If your 2016 or 2018-2024 Ic Bus Cesb school bus is in recall 23V398, park outside. Dealer repair is free.
An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of fire while driving or parked. A service brake system lamp is the warning sign listed for this recall. Park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
Ic Bus is recalling 15,398 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Cesb school buses because the brake pressure switch assembly can leak brake fluid into electrical components and short the circuit. The short can overheat and increase fire risk while driving or parked, so owners should park outside and away from structures until a franchised Ic Bus dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake pressure switch assembly on these Ic Bus Cesb school buses is part of the hydraulic brake system. It monitors brake pressure and sends an electrical signal so the bus can report brake system status to the driver. The switch has to keep brake fluid on the hydraulic side and away from its electrical contacts.
On affected 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 buses, the pressure switch was built with a corrosion inhibitor sealant. That sealant can delaminate, leaving fragments under the diaphragm inside the switch assembly. Those fragments let brake fluid seep past the seal and into the electrical side of the switch, where it can cause a short circuit.
Before failure, the bus can show a "service brake system" malfunction indicator lamp. Treat that warning light as a brake-system warning sign, not just an electrical nuisance.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2016 and 2018 through 2024 Cesb model years, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system component.
| 2016 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2022 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2023 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2021 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2024 Ic Bus Cesb | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 15,398 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of fire while driving or parked. A service brake system lamp is the warning sign listed for this recall. Park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ic Bus Cesb is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to schedule the free brake pressure switch assembly replacement that stops brake fluid from shorting the switch circuit.
- Park the bus outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
- Bring the recall notice if Ic Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V398 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the wire harness or fuse also needs replacement as part of the free repair.
What happens at the repair
Until the recall repair is complete, keep the bus parked outside and away from structures. At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician replaces the brake pressure switch assembly and checks whether the wire harness or fuse also needs replacement. The recall covers parts and labor, free of charge. If you've already paid for this repair before the owner notification, Navistar's reimbursement plan applies. Follow the reimbursement instructions in the customer notification and submit the required documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 2, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| August 1, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 1, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 1, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 29, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V398?
Recall 23V398 covers 15,398 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ic Bus Cesb school buses. Brake fluid can leak into the brake pressure switch electrical components, causing a short circuit and increasing fire risk while driving or parked.
What should I do if my 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Ic Bus Cesb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V398. If it is, park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete, then contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to replace the brake pressure switch assembly for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Navistar says dealers will replace the brake pressure switch assembly for free. If the wire harness or fuse also needs replacement, that work is covered too.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. Brake fluid can enter the brake pressure switch electrical components, create a short circuit, and overheat the circuit while the bus is driving or parked. Park outside and away from structures until the dealer completes the repair.
When were owners notified about recall 23V398?
Navistar mailed owner notification letters on September 29, 2023. The repair is available now, so owners with included VINs should contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer and reference recall 23V398 or Navistar recall number 23518 when scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V398000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V398 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V398000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →