Recall 23V448 covers 133 2019-2025 Lion Lionc school buses for a surge tank that can damage high-voltage cables. Lion installs the repair free.
Lion is recalling 133 2019-2025 Lionc hybrid electric school buses because the surge tank can shift and crack the firewall, letting it contact and damage high-voltage cables. Damaged cables can shut down the high-voltage circuit, leading to loss of steering assistance or drive power and reduced braking power; Lion dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The surge tank in a 2019-2025 Lion Lionc hybrid electric school bus is the coolant reservoir for the cooling system. It stores extra coolant and gives the system room for fluid expansion as temperature changes, so the cooling circuit stays filled and controlled.
On affected buses, the tank is attached to the firewall, the metal wall behind the engine area. That sheet metal flexes too much, which lets the tank move more than designed. Over time, cracks form around the tank support brackets. As the cracks grow, the tank moves farther and contacts the high-voltage cables routed under it, which damages those cables.
There is no warning sign before failure. The cracks and cable damage were found during service inspections, so the problem can exist before a driver notices a change from the seat.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 Lionc model years, all tied to the same coolant reservoir.
| 2019 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2020 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2022 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2023 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2024 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2025 Lion Lionc | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 133 |
| 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?
Damaged high-voltage cables can shut down the high-voltage circuit. That can take away steering assistance or drive power and reduce braking power, which increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and use caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Lion dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2025 Lion Lionc is included in this recall.
- Contact Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706 to schedule the free surge-tank support bracket repair that keeps the tank from damaging the firewall and high-voltage cables.
- Bring the recall notice if you received one. If not, reference recall number 23V448 when you call.
- Limit bus use until the repair is complete, and stop operating it if steering assist, drive power, or braking power changes.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lion technician installs a new surge tank support bracket to the accessory plate so the tank is better secured away from the firewall and high voltage cables. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Lion's reimbursement plan covers eligible charges for owners who already paid to repair or replace parts for this defect before the recall repair. Bring repair documentation to the service desk, or contact Lion customer service to start the reimbursement review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 27, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 21, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| August 21, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 21, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 25, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V448?
Recall 23V448 covers 133 2019-2025 Lion Lionc hybrid electric school buses with a surge tank that can move, crack the firewall, and damage high-voltage cables. Lion technicians will install a new support bracket for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2025 Lion Lionc is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V448. If it is, contact Lion to schedule the free support-bracket installation. Reference recall 23V448 and Lion recall number R2023-006 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Lion says its technicians will install the new surge tank support bracket free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering assistance, loss of drive power, or reduced braking power. Damaged high-voltage cables can shut down the high-voltage circuit, increasing crash risk until the support bracket repair is completed.
When were owners notified about recall 23V448?
Lion mailed owner notification letters on August 21, 2023. If you manage or bought a 2019-2025 Lion Lionc bus and never received a letter, check your VIN and call Lion customer service at 1-855-546-6706.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V448000 |
|---|---|
| Lion customer service | 1-855-546-6706 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V448 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V448000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →