Recall 25V553 affects 24 2013 Nova Bus Lfs transit buses for roof HVAC coolant hose leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer.
Nova Bus is recalling 24 2013 Lfs transit buses because coolant hoses routed through the HVAC roof unit can fail and leak hot coolant into the passenger seating area. The leak raises the risk of injury, and Nova Bus dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The coolant hoses on the 2013 Nova Bus Lfs are flexible lines that carry engine coolant through the HVAC roof unit. That roof unit uses coolant and air handling to help control the temperature inside the bus. The hoses are supposed to stay sealed while the bus runs, even as the system heats, cools, and vibrates in service.
On affected buses, defective coolant hoses were reinstalled during the earlier 18V117 remedy instead of being replaced. Those hoses can fail while routed above the passenger area. When that happens, coolant can leak from the HVAC roof unit into the passenger seating area, instead of staying contained inside the cooling system.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be coolant entering the passenger area, so operators should treat any coolant leak from the roof HVAC area as a repair issue tied to this recall.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Nova Bus Lfs | Cooling system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 24 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
Hot coolant that leaks into the passenger seating area increases the risk of injury to occupants. There is no warning sign before it happens, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Nova Bus Lfs is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nova Bus dealer to schedule the free coolant-hose inspection and replacement that stops coolant leaks into the passenger seating area.
- Bring the owner letter if you received one. If not, reference recall number 25V553 when you call.
- Keep passengers out of any seating area where coolant has leaked until the repair is complete.
- Call Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410 with questions about recall number 25V553.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nova Bus technician inspects the coolant hoses routed through the HVAC roof unit and replaces the hoses covered by the recall. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related hose repair, Nova Bus uses its general reimbursement plan for documented eligible costs. Bring repair invoices, receipts, and any prior service paperwork to the service desk so the reimbursement request can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 26, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 25, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 25, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V553?
Recall 25V553 covers 24 2013 Nova Bus Lfs transit buses with coolant hoses routed through the HVAC roof unit. The hoses can fail and leak hot coolant into the passenger seating area, increasing injury risk. Nova Bus will inspect and replace the hoses for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Nova Bus Lfs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 25V553. If it is, contact a Nova Bus service contact or franchised dealer to schedule the hose inspection and replacement. Reference recall CR5752 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nova Bus will inspect and replace the affected coolant hoses free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 25V553.
What is the safety risk in recall 25V553?
The safety risk is injury from hot coolant entering the passenger seating area. The recalled buses have coolant hoses routed through the HVAC roof unit, and a hose failure can send hot coolant where passengers sit. The free repair replaces the affected hoses.
When were owners notified about recall 25V553?
Nova Bus mailed owner notification letters on October 22, 2025. If you operate or maintain a 2013 Nova Bus Lfs and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and reference recall CR5752 with Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V553000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-450-472-6410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V553 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V553000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →