Recall 25V703 affects 1,671 2026 Ic Bus Cesb school buses for an uncalibrated shift actuator. Free repair at a franchised Ic Bus dealer once available.
Ic Bus is recalling 1,671 2026 Cesb school buses because the transmission shift actuator was not calibrated properly and can prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse. That failure can leave the bus unable to move as needed on the road, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Ic Bus makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The transmission shift actuator on the 2026 Ic Bus Cesb school bus is an electric control that moves the automatic transmission into the selected gear. When the driver selects reverse, the actuator has to know its neutral position first, then move the transmission linkage far enough for reverse to engage. The bus depends on that calibration to respond correctly to the shift command.
On affected buses, the actuator input shaft changed from powdered metal to cut steel. That change allowed backlash, or small looseness in the shaft movement, during calibration. Because the neutral set point was not set correctly, the actuator can stop short of the reverse position. The bus then stays out of reverse even though the driver selected it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up when the bus will not shift into reverse. If that happens, the driver should treat it as a transmission shift problem and have an Ic Bus dealer inspect the shift actuator and related calibration.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Ic Bus Cesb | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,671 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A shift actuator problem can prevent the school bus from moving as needed on the road, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair with the dealer and use extra caution until it is completed. Repair will be free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Ic Bus Cesb is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to ask about interim guidance and repair timing; the final shift-actuator input-shaft replacement that fixes the no-reverse condition is still under development.
- Reference recall number 25V703 when you call the dealer or Ic Bus customer service.
- Bring the owner letter if Ic Bus mailed one to your school district or fleet office.
- Keep the bus out of service for routes that require reliable reverse movement until the dealer gives repair or interim instructions.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development. Once it opens, an Ic Bus technician will replace the shift actuator input shaft so the transmission shift system can engage reverse as designed. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. Because Ic Bus used its general reimbursement plan on file, owners who already paid for a related shift actuator or transmission repair can ask customer service how to submit documented expenses under the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan. Keep repair orders and payment records with the bus file.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| December 1, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 1, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 8, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 8, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V703?
Recall 25V703 covers 1,671 2026 Ic Bus Cesb school buses with a transmission shift actuator calibration problem that can prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse. The bus can be unable to move on the road, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the shift actuator input shaft for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Ic Bus Cesb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 25V703. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer and ask when the shift actuator input shaft replacement is available. Reference International recall number 25520 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Dealers will replace the shift actuator input shaft free of charge once the dealer remedy is open for your VIN.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of reverse movement when the school bus needs to move on the road. If the transmission does not shift into reverse, the bus can be stuck in traffic or another unsafe position, increasing crash risk.
When were owners notified about recall 25V703?
Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2025. If you manage or bought a 2026 Ic Bus Cesb and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Ic Bus dealer with recall number 25V703 or International recall number 25520.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V703000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-800-448-7825 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V703 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V703000 |
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 →