The defect
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.
The risk
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| Motiv EPIC4 E450 BEV School Bus | 2017, 2018 |
| Motiv F-53 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| Motiv F-53 School Bus | 2020 |
| Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 |
| Motiv F-59 School Bus | 2017, 2018, 2021 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE:THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS)
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2021 | 0 | 4 |
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2022 | 0 | 4 |
| Motiv E-450 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2023 | 0 | 4 |
| Motiv EPIC4 E450 BEV School Bus | 2017 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv EPIC4 E450 BEV School Bus | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv F-53 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2021 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv F-53 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2022 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv F-53 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2023 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv F-53 School Bus | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
| Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2019 | 0 | 2 |
| Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2020 | 0 | 4 |
| Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2022 | 0 | 2 |
| Motiv F-59 BEV Chassis School Bus | 2023 | 0 | 2 |
| Motiv F-59 School Bus | 2017 | 0 | 2 |
| Motiv F-59 School Bus | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| Motiv F-59 School Bus | 2021 | 0 | 2 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2025
148 of the 891 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2025 concerned the electrical system; Motiv Power Systems filed 13 campaigns in all.
| 25V914000 31 Dec 2025 | Braun Industries, Inc. |
| 25V906000 23 Dec 2025 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 25V911000 23 Dec 2025 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 25V905000 23 Dec 2025 | Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. |
| 25V897000 19 Dec 2025 | Blue Bird Body Company |
| 25V895000 19 Dec 2025 | Coach and Equipment Mfg. Corp. |
| 25V894000 19 Dec 2025 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 25V886000 18 Dec 2025 | Ford Motor Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2025