Recall 23V890 covers 193 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 buses with dim wheelchair-lift warning beacons. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
Volvo Bus is recalling 193 2013-2021 9700 buses because the red beacon lighting on the Threshold Warning System is not bright enough for the wheelchair platform lift. Beacons without proper illumination are harder for wheelchair lift users to see, increasing injury risk, and the Volvo Bus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 buses uses a Threshold Warning System to alert people near the lift opening. Its red beacon lights are supposed to be bright enough for the platform lift safety standard, so passengers and operators can see the warning at the doorway.
On the affected buses, the red beacons in the supplier kit use incandescent bulbs with too little wattage. Ricon determined those bulbs do not produce the minimum light intensity of 20 candela required by FMVSS 403. This is a compliance problem with the lighting kit, not a broken lift mechanism.
There is no warning sign before failure. The beacons can still appear to work, but the warning light is not bright enough to meet the standard until the compliant beacon parts are installed.
Who's affected?
Nine model years are included, and each listed scope uses the same wheelchair lift/ramp component.
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
|---|---|
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2020 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2021 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2019 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| 2018 Volvo Bus 9700 | Wheelchair lift/ramp |
| Units affected | 193 |
| 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?
Improper beacon illumination makes the wheelchair lift area harder to see and increases the risk of injury for lift users. There is no warning sign before this issue, so treat poor beacon visibility as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner letter Volvo Bus mailed on September 16, 2024, or ask Volvo Bus customer service for a copy if you did not receive one.
- Call Volvo Bus customer service at 1-866-870-2043 with questions and reference recall number 23V890 (Volvo Bus recall SR24-81).
- Ask about the free red-beacon replacement that makes the wheelchair-lift warning lights visible to lift users.
- Use extra care around the wheelchair lift until the beacon repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Volvo Bus has identified the repair: a Volvo Bus technician replaces the red beacon lights for the Threshold Warning System. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. If you already paid to inspect and correct this defect before the safety recall launched, Prevost's reimbursement plan covers that prior work. Contact Volvo Bus customer service and ask how to submit documentation for the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 22, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| May 15, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 16, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V890?
Recall 23V890 covers 193 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 buses with red beacon lights on the Threshold Warning System that are not bright enough. The issue affects wheelchair lift visibility and increases injury risk. Prevost will replace the red beacons for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V890. If it is, contact an authorized Volvo Bus service location to schedule the red beacon replacement. Reference recall 23V890 and Volvo Bus recall SR24-81 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 23V890, Prevost will replace the red beacons free of charge through the Volvo Bus service process.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility for wheelchair lift users. If the red beacons on the Threshold Warning System are not bright enough, lift users have less clear warning around the lift area, increasing the risk of injury.
When were owners notified about recall 23V890?
Owner letters were mailed September 16, 2024. If you manage or bought a 2013-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Volvo Bus customer service at 1-866-870-2043 with recall SR24-81.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V890000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-866-870-2043 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V890 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V890000 |
Source documents
-
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 Document (PDF) (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 →