- The problem
- Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 1997-2002, 2005-2024 LFS, 2009-2014, and 2016 - 2024 LFS Artic transit buses. The low brake air pressure warning light may fail to illuminate when the engine is off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
- The risk
- A low brake air pressure warning light that fails to illuminate when the engine is off will not alert the driver to a low brake pressure condition, increasing the risk of a crash if the parking brake is disengaged before starting the engine.
- The fix
- Nova Bus will update the firmware, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed by July 17, 2026. Owners will receive another notice once remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nova Bus customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova Bus' number for this recall is CR5918. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Nova Bus LFS Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2012 Nova Bus LFS have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in June 2026 for the switch.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical LFS year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2012 Nova Bus LFS recalls 9
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2010-2020 LFS Artic and 2012-2024 LFS vehicles. The driver's seat belt may not retract properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
- The risk
- A seat belt that does not retract properly may result in a loose seat belt, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- The fix
- Nova Bus will install additional seat stoppers to the driver's rear partition, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 4, 2025. Nova's number for this recall is CR5635. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-350. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 23V-350 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2012-2022 LFS vehicles. The driver's seat belt may not retract properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
- The risk
- A seat belt that does not retract properly may result in a loose seat belt, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will adjust the recline angle of the seat-back rest, or add a spacer on the driver's seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5419.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova Bus) is recalling certain 2014 LFS and 2012-2013 LFS Artic transit buses. The emergency exit window release and label may have been installed in the incorrect location. In addition, the emergency exit window opening may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
- The risk
- In an emergency, the incorrect placement of the window exit release and label instructions or the insufficient window opening may prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Nova Bus will either remove the emergency exit window feature, and/or relocate the release mechanism, label, and chime cord stop-request system, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5415.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (US) Inc. (Nova) is recalling certain 2010-2021 LFS and 2009-2012 LFS Artic transit buses. These vehicles are equipped with non-standard color auxiliary lights which may impair the effectiveness of the standard lighting equipment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- The risk
- The colorful lighting may cause confusion by distracting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove the non-standard color lights, or replace them with white lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2023. Owners may contact Nova's customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR5350/5351.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2008-2021 LFS Buses. The center-line height of the brake lights and tail lights is too high, exceeding the maximum height standard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- The risk
- Reduced visibility of the brake and tail lights can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Nova will notify owners, and provide instructions for interchanging the positions of the brake light and tail light components with the turn signal light components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2021. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain 2011-2019 LFS city buses. The engine door fan electrical connector may not be able to handle the required current and may overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.
- The risk
- A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Nova will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2019. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-800-350-6682. Nova's number for this recall is CR4595.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nova LFS and LFS Artic transit buses manufactured from June 18, 2012, through October 19, 2015. The affected transit buses have destinations signs that may not be properly secured and, as a result, the sign may fall.
- The risk
- If an sign falls, there is an increased risk of injury to anyone under or standing near the sign.
- The fix
- Nova will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the sign as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2016. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's recall number for this campaign is CR3539.
- The problem
- Nova Bus (Nova) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Nova LFS transit buses manufactured from August 10, 2010, through November 5, 2015. The affected seats have J-Brackets that may be missing welds which could allow the seat belt anchorage assembly to separate from the J-Bracket.
- The risk
- If the seat belt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash increasing their risk of injury.
- The fix
- Nova will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats for missing welds. If missing welds are found, the seats will be repaired, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2016. Owners may contact Nova customer service at 1-450-472-6410. Nova's recall number for this campaign is CR3632.
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No complaints about the 2012 Nova Bus LFS yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Nova Bus LFS: every year compared
All LFS yearsQuestions about the 2012 Nova Bus LFS
Does the 2012 Nova Bus LFS have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2012 Nova Bus LFS: switch (June 2026); front (November 2024); front (May 2023); escape / egress / exit (April 2023) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2012 Nova Bus LFS had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2012 Nova Bus LFS a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 66 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Nova Bus LFS year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2012 Nova Bus LFS has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data