Exterior lighting (Novabus)
Vehicle recall 02V-148. NHTSA received NOVA BUS INCORPORATED’s report on May 30, 2002.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received NOVA BUS INCORPORATED’s report on May 30, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES WITH AN OPTION FOR DECELERATION LIGHTS DO NOT MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THE DECELERATION LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE REAR CENTER OF THE BUS, ABOVE THE REAR ENGINE DOOR.
THEY ARE PROVIDED AS A MEANS OF ALERTING VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND THE BUS THAT IT IS SLOWING DOWN AND MAY BE PREPARING TO STOP.
ALSO, THE DRIVER ACTIVATED, FLASHING HOODLUM LIGHTS, IS TO ALERT THE PUBLIC/POLICE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRING IN THE BUS FOR WHICH THE DRIVER REQUIRES ASSISTANCE.
TWO OF THESE LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS AT EACH END OF THE DESTINATION SIGN AND TWO AT THE REAR OF THE BUS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ROOF MARKER LIGHTS.
THEY FLASH IN AN ALTERNATING PATTERN FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THESE LAMPS SHALL BE WIRED TO BE STEADY BURNING.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL RETROFIT THESE BUSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-2011.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: NOVABUS RECALL NO. 02-002. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).NOVABUS HAD PETITIONED THE AGENCY FOR INCONSEQUENTIALITY AND THE PETITION WAS DENIED BY THE AGENCY (5-6-02).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 2,561 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Novabus RTSand 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by NOVA BUS INCORPORATED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.