Recall 24V602 affects 28 2020-2023 Motiv E-450 and F-59 school buses for software that can shut down HV batteries. Free update once Motiv releases it.
Motiv is recalling 28 2020-2023 E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus and F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus vehicles because the control software can misclassify a high-voltage isolation fault and shut down the HV batteries. That shutdown can take away steering assist, brake power assist, and drive power; the Motiv dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The vehicle control software on the 2020-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus and F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus manages the Gen 5 EPIC electric powertrain. It watches the high-voltage system, including the HV batteries, and tells the powertrain how to respond when the system detects an electrical isolation fault. An isolation fault means the high-voltage system is no longer separated from the vehicle chassis the way it is designed to be.
On affected school buses, a coding error misclassifies a temporary loss of isolation as a more severe fault while the bus is moving. Instead of waiting until the bus is shifted into Park, the software shuts down the HV batteries during the drive cycle. That shutdown removes electric power for propulsion, so the bus can lose propulsion while it is being driven.
There is no warning sign before failure. The operator does not receive an advance warning before the shutdown occurs, so the first sign is the loss of propulsion itself.
Who's affected?
Covers two Motiv school bus chassis models across the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years, all tied to the same electric propulsion system software.
| 2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | electric propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2022 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | electric propulsion system |
| 2021 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | electric propulsion system |
| 2020 Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | electric propulsion system |
| Units affected | 28 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and school bus chassis model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
The HV battery shutdown can take away steering assist, brake power assist, and drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Until the update is installed, drive cautiously and keep extra stopping space. Repair will be free at any franchised Motiv dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus or F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for Motiv's owner letter before arranging repair service, because the remedy is listed as under development.
- Call Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804 with questions and reference recall number 24V602 when you call.
- Install the free OTA software update when Motiv provides it; the update addresses software that can shut down the HV batteries and remove steering assist, brake assist, and drive power.
- Use extra caution until the update is complete, especially before transporting passengers.
What happens at the repair
The final remedy is still under development. Motiv will provide an over-the-air software update for the vehicle control software once it is ready, free under the recall. The update is intended to correct how the software handles a loss of isolation between the chassis and high-voltage system, so the high-voltage batteries are not shut down because of that misclassification. Motiv has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for this same software repair before the recall notice, contact Motiv customer service and ask how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 12, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 30, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 30, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 5, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V602?
Recall 24V602 covers 28 2020-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus and F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus vehicles with Gen 5 EPIC powertrains. The vehicle control software can misclassify a loss of isolation between the chassis and high-voltage system, then shut down the HV batteries.
What should I do if my 2020-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus or F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 24V602. If it is, contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804 and ask about the free OTA software update. Reference recall number 24V602 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Motiv says the OTA software update is free of charge. Keep the recall number handy when you contact Motiv customer service so the service team can match your vehicle to the campaign.
What is the safety risk in recall 24V602?
The safety risk is loss of assist and drive power. If the HV batteries shut down, the vehicle can lose steering assist, brake assist, and drive power, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN before putting the bus back into regular service.
When were owners notified about recall 24V602?
Motiv mailed owner notification letters on September 5, 2024. If you manage one of these school buses and never received a letter, check your VIN and contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804 with recall number 24V602.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V602000 |
|---|---|
| Motiv customer service | 1-650-458-4804 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V602 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V602000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →