2021 Ic Bus Cesb problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Engine (1)
Safety recalls (4)
Structure:body 2025-09-04 · campaign 25V580000 · 457 vehicles
Defect: International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016-2026 IC Bus CESB and 2016-2021 RESB school buses. The underfloor reinforcement may not have been installed, compromising the structural integrity of the buses. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
Risk: Reduced structural integrity may increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement channel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2025. Owners may contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25514.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2025-08-06 · campaign 25V503000 · 16,553 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: International Motors, LLC (International) is recalling certain 2016-2024 IC Bus CESB school buses. The brake pressure switch assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a silicone black jumper harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2025. Owners may contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825. International's number for this recall is 25510. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V398 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2023-06-02 · campaign 23V398000 · 15,398 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2016 and 2018-2024 IC Bus CE school buses. The brake pressure switch assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch assembly and if necessary, the wire harness or fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2023. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 23518.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) 2021-10-25 · campaign 21V837000 · 7,322 vehicles
Defect: Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2020-2023 IC CE school buses. The engine control module (ECM) may set a fault code that results in an unexpected engine shut down.
Risk: Unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a disabled school bus may require an evacuation procedure in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 21507.
Service bulletins (73)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · IK1201493 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the purpose of this article is to provide updated repair guidelines for the engine oil pan leak on all 8.8l gasoline and lpg engines. engine oil can leak from the rear of the engine oil pan due to an excessive gap in the sealing area between the engine oil pan and the engine block.
Electrical System 2026-05-22 · 26101 · Service Campaign
certain international® trucks and ic bustm ce series buses may have out of date bcm programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.
Power Train 2026-05-04 · IK1201493 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the purpose of this article is to provide updated repair guidelines for the engine oil pan leak on all 8.8l gasoline and lpg engines. engine oil can leak from the rear of the engine oil pan due to an excessive gap in the sealing area between the engine oil pan and the engine block.
Electrical System 2026-04-23 · IK2600255 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides guidance for assessing the feasibility of implementing a customer-requested change to an engine or vehicle parameter/feature. customer requested changes will be approved in accordance with the requirements specified in 40 cfr part 1037 to ensure continued compliance with green
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-04-23 · IK1500105 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document is for diesel buses my2020, my2021, my2022, my2023, and my2024 specifically built between 11/30/20 and 5/18/23 that are experiencing fuel leaks at the fuel tank cap for not being seated fully, and for my2024 and my2025 buses built between 1/2/24 and 9/19/25 for fuel necks being loose.
Electrical System 2026-04-07 · 26101 · Service Campaign
certain international® trucks and ic bustm ce series buses may have out of date bcm programing that may cause erroneous fault codes after a vehicle sits for 2 or 3 days.
Showing the 6 most recent of 73 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-10 · Unknown Or Other“exhaust leaks caused by calapsed exhaust manifold pipes on 34 ic units with psi engines. they are wrapped with aluminium covering with insulation. this in turn makes high heat tempuraters that split and burn up and disfigure pipes. which can cause a fire if any oil leakage or fuel occurs. it also has been snapping exhaust manifold bolts away fr…”
2025-10-23 · Engine“this is a school bus- exhaust downpipes leading into the catalytic converters melted down and created large holes in the exhaust pipe itself. extreme heat developed by engine. …”
2025-04-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“school buses. we have a fleet of these and the condition is happening repeatedly and to almost every bus with this psi brand 8.8l gasoline engine. the engine exhaust downpipes melt from excessive heat and/or fuel. the pipes then crack and produce an exhaust leak near the body firewall. potential for exhaust and flame to escape from the pipe. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.