Recall 23V897 affects 246 2021-2023 New Flyer XE35, XE40, and XE60 buses for unintended acceleration. Repair is free at any franchised New Flyer dealer.
New Flyer is recalling 246 2021-2023 XE35, XE40, and XE60 battery electric transit buses because a software error can trigger unintended acceleration under certain conditions. Unintended acceleration increases the risk of a crash, and New Flyer dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The throttle treadle assembly on 2021-2023 New Flyer XE35, XE40, and XE60 electric transit buses is the accelerator pedal unit. It sends the driver's throttle request to the bus's electronic controls, which then manage drive power. The system also uses control signals to confirm when throttle input is active or inactive.
On affected buses, the software left out a throttle on or off signal once the bus is moving above 0 mph. That missing signal removes a layer of electronic confirmation. If another throttle-related component fails while the bus is moving, the control system can register unintended throttle input and the bus can accelerate without the driver asking for it.
The issue is tied to the electric bus system control software revision, not to every New Flyer electric bus. There is no warning sign before failure. New Flyer reported that service brake application controlled the unintended throttle event that led to the investigation.
Who's affected?
Spans XE35, XE40, and XE60 buses across 2021-2023, all tied to the same vehicle speed control component.
| 2022 New Flyer XE35 | Vehicle speed control |
|---|---|
| 2023 New Flyer XE35 | Vehicle speed control |
| 2023 New Flyer XE40 | Vehicle speed control |
| 2023 New Flyer XE60 | Vehicle speed control |
| 2022 New Flyer XE40 | Vehicle speed control |
| 2021 New Flyer XE40 | Vehicle speed control |
| 2021 New Flyer XE35 | Vehicle speed control |
| Units affected | 246 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
If a bus accelerates without command, the driver has less time to control speed and traffic spacing, which can increase the risk of a crash. No warning sign is expected before the condition. Schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised New Flyer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 New Flyer XE35, XE40, or XE60 bus is included in this recall.
- Contact New Flyer customer service at 1-800-241-2947 to schedule the free software update.
- Reference recall number 23V897 and New Flyer recall R23-023 when you call.
- Complete the software update that corrects the unintended-acceleration error in the vehicle speed control system.
- Follow New Flyer service guidance until the update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the service appointment, a New Flyer technician updates the vehicle software that controls the affected battery electric transit bus behavior. The software update and related labor are free under the recall. If you already paid labor for the same software related repair before the recall work was completed, New Flyer says the customer can request reimbursement through the New Flyer warranty process. Ask customer service what service paperwork is needed for that warranty reimbursement request.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 22, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 13, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 14, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| February 14, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 14, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 14, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V897?
Recall 23V897 covers 246 2021-2023 New Flyer XE35, XE40, and XE60 battery electric transit buses. A software error in the vehicle speed control system can cause unintended acceleration under certain conditions, increasing crash risk. New Flyer will update the vehicle software for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 New Flyer XE35, XE40, or XE60 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm the specific bus is included in recall 23V897. If it is, contact a franchised New Flyer service location to schedule the free vehicle software update. Reference recall number R23-023 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost, and New Flyer will update the affected vehicle software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 23V897.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended acceleration. Under certain conditions, a software error can cause the bus to accelerate without the driver intending it, which can increase the risk of a crash. The remedy is a free vehicle software update from New Flyer.
When were owners notified about this New Flyer recall?
New Flyer mailed owner notification letters on February 13, 2024. The notice explains recall R23-023 and the free software update. Owners can contact New Flyer customer service at 1-800-241-2947 for scheduling details.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V897000 |
|---|---|
| New Flyer customer service | 1-800-241-2947 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V897 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V897000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 →