Recall 24V603 covers 6 2021-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus vehicles for damaged CAN wiring and drive-power loss. Repair will be free.
Motiv is recalling 6 2021-2023 E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus vehicles because CAN signal wires can contact the frame rail and become damaged. The damage can cause a loss of drive power, raising crash risk, and the Motiv dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The loopback DCFC signal connector on 2021-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus buses is part of the electrical harness for the Gen 5 EPIC powertrain. The CAN wires are communication wires that let the drive motor controls share commands and status, so the electric powertrain knows when to deliver propulsion.
On affected buses, the harness was not retained correctly near the frame rail. The loopback wires can rub against the frame over time until the insulation is damaged. When that happens, the wires can short and interrupt CAN communication, cutting motor power while the bus is being driven.
There is no warning sign before failure. The operator would not receive an advance alert before the loss of drive power occurs.
Who's affected?
Covers the same electric propulsion system across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years.
| 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 |
| Units affected | 6 |
| 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?
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before it happens, so treat any sudden power loss as a reason to pull over safely and contact Motiv service. Repair will be free at any franchised Motiv dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus is included in this recall.
- Check for the owner letter Motiv mailed on September 5, 2024, and keep it with the bus records.
- Call Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804 to ask when field support inspection is ready for your bus.
- Ask Motiv about the CAN wiring inspection and repair that fixes damaged signal wires tied to loss of drive power.
- Reference recall number 24V603 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Motiv's repair process is to have a Motiv field support technician inspect the CAN signal wiring, repair loose wiring, and replace damaged CAN wiring where needed. Because Motiv has not listed the final repair as available, treat the repair as free once Motiv makes it available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Out of pocket repairs for this problem are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask Motiv customer service how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 12, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 16, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 5, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V603?
Recall 24V603 covers 6 2021-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus vehicles with a Gen 5 EPIC powertrain. The Controller Area Network signal wires can contact the frame rail, become damaged, and cause loss of drive power, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 24V603. If it is, contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804 and reference recall 24V603. Motiv field support technicians will inspect the wiring and repair or replace damaged wiring for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost to the owner. Motiv field support technicians will inspect for loose wiring, repair it, and replace damaged Controller Area Network wiring as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of drive power. If the signal wires contact the frame rail and become damaged, the school bus can lose propulsion, which increases the risk of a crash. The repair path is an inspection and wiring repair by Motiv field support technicians.
When did Motiv notify owners about recall 24V603?
Motiv mailed owner notification letters on September 5, 2024. If you own or operate one of these school buses and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and contact Motiv customer service with recall number 24V603.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V603000 |
|---|---|
| Motiv customer service | 1-650-458-4804 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V603 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V603000 |
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 →