NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2021 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Motiv dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
NHTSA #25V138000Reported March 3, 2025 · Motiv Power Systems
Potentially affected: 40 vehicles
Defect description
Motiv Power Systems, Inc. (Motiv) is recalling certain 2017-2020 E-450 and F-59 school buses with Gen 4 EPIC powertrain, and 2020-2023 E-450, F-59, and F-53 school buses with a Gen 5 EPIC powertrain. A throttle position sensor (TPS) power wire connector pin may loosen, causing a loss of signal to the powertrain control module and a loss of drive power.
Safety consequence
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Motiv field support technicians will inspect and repair, or replace the PCM connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to www.safercar.gov.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM: CABLES
NHTSA #24V781000Reported October 18, 2024 · Motiv Power Systems
Potentially affected: 25 vehicles
Defect description
Motiv Power Systems, Inc. (Motiv) is recalling certain 2021-2024 E-450 school buses equipped with a Motiv Gen 4 EPIC powertrain. A wire connection point could loosen, causing a loss of 12-volt control power to the high voltage (HV) batteries.
Safety consequence
Interruption of the 12-volt control power can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Motiv field support technicians will inspect and replace the 12-volt control cable as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2024. Owners may contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION MOTOR:CONTROLLER
NHTSA #24V603000Reported August 12, 2024 · Motiv Power Systems
Potentially affected: 6 vehicles
Defect description
Motiv Power Systems, Inc. (Motiv) is recalling certain 2021-2023 E-450 school buses equipped with a Motiv Gen 5 EPIC powertrain. The Controller Area Network (CAN) signal wires could contact the frame rail and become damaged, causing a loss of drive power.
Safety consequence
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Motiv field support technicians will inspect and repair any loose wiring and replace damaged CAN wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:MODULE:SOFTWARE
NHTSA #24V602000Reported August 12, 2024 · Motiv Power Systems
Potentially affected: 28 vehicles
Defect description
Motiv Power Systems, Inc. (Motiv) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-450 and 2020 F-59 school buses equipped with a Motiv Gen 5 EPIC powertrain. The vehicle control software could misclassify a loss of isolation between the chassis and high voltage system, shutting down the high voltage (HV) batteries.
Safety consequence
The shutdown of the HV batteries can cause a loss of steering and brake power assist, and drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Motiv will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact Motiv customer service at 1-650-458-4804.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Other Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus model years
Check your 2021 Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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