Recall 26V182 covers 416 Nova Bus Lfs and Lfs Artic buses from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 for a driver-seat-belt defect. Free repair once available.
Nova Bus is recalling 416 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 Lfs and Lfs Artic transit buses under recall 26V182 because the driver's seat belt tension-relieving device can fail to disengage without manual intervention. If it does not release correctly, the belt can fail to restrain the driver properly in a crash; the Nova Bus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's seat belt on affected Nova Bus Lfs Artic and Lfs transit buses is part of the front occupant protection system. It is supposed to hold the driver in position during a crash while still allowing normal movement during regular operation. The tension-relieving device on the driver's seat belt is a comfort feature that reduces belt pressure after the belt is buckled.
On these buses, the tension-relieving device was installed in a way that does not cancel the tension-relieving function on its own. It needs manual intervention to disengage. If that step does not happen, the driver's belt remains in the comfort setting instead of returning fully to normal restraint operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not given an advance alert that the tension-relieving function has failed to cancel, so the issue depends on inspection and repair rather than a symptom the driver can feel beforehand.
Who's affected?
Covers Lfs and Lfs Artic buses with the same front seat belt component. VINs become searchable on May 23, 2026; until then, the VIN-by-VIN list is not public.
| 2020 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2023 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2016 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2017 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2018 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2020 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2022 Nova Bus Lfs | seat belt |
| 2019 Nova Bus Lfs Artic | seat belt |
| Units affected | 416 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching model year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed tension-relieving device can keep the driver seat belt from restraining the driver properly, increasing injury risk during a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange service when the remedy opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Nova Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, or 2023 Nova Bus Lfs or Lfs Artic bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Nova Bus owner notification letter expected May 23, 2026, because the final repair is still under development.
- Call Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410 with questions and reference recall number 26V182.
- Follow Nova Bus interim instructions for the driver's seat belt tension-relieving device until the final free repair is available.
- Tell drivers that the seat belt tension-relieving device can stay engaged and prevent proper restraint in a crash.
What happens at the repair
Nova Bus is still developing the final remedy for recall 26V182. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 23, 2026. Once the repair opens, a Nova Bus technician will address the driver's seat belt tension-relieving device so it disengages as required, and the dealer repair will be free. Nova Bus uses its standard reimbursement plan for this recall. If you already paid for a related seat belt repair, keep invoices, proof of payment, and any service notes so Nova Bus can review the documented expense under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 24, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 23, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 23, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 23, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V182?
Recall 26V182 covers 416 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 Nova Bus Lfs and Lfs Artic transit buses. The driver's seat belt tension-relieving device can fail to disengage without manual intervention, which can keep the belt from properly restraining the driver in a crash.
What should I do if my 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, or 2023 Nova Bus Lfs or Lfs Artic is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 26V182. If it is, contact a franchised Nova Bus service location or Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410 and reference recall CR5873. The final remedy is still under development.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost once the remedy is available. Nova Bus is still developing the repair for recall 26V182, so ask the service desk what interim guidance applies until the final repair opens.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driver restraint failure in a crash. If the seat belt tension-relieving device does not disengage, the belt can fail to properly restrain the driver, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. The dealer repair will be free once Nova Bus opens the remedy.
When will Nova Bus notify owners?
Nova Bus expects to mail owner notification letters on May 23, 2026. The notice should explain the recall, identify the next service step, and tell owners how to proceed while the remedy is under development. Use your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V182000 |
|---|---|
| Nova Bus customer service | 1-450-472-6410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V182 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V182000 |
Source documents
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 →