2021 Motiv E-450 Bev Chassis School Bus problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:throttle:throttle Position Sensor (Tps) 2025-03-03 · campaign 25V138000 · 40 vehicles
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.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:propulsion System: Cables 2024-10-18 · campaign 24V781000 · 25 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Interruption of the 12-volt control power can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:module:software 2024-08-12 · campaign 24V602000 · 28 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Motor:controller 2024-08-12 · campaign 24V603000 · 6 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (5)
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2025-10-01 · TSB-2025-0004 · Over The Air
software release 3.4.0.a is an over-the-air (ota) quality action to improve driver experience, vehicle performance, and vehicle diagnostics. summary of changes • digital display firmware upgrade. • improve digital display menu navigation. • driver feedback for pending gear selection. • improved cool
Electrical System 2024-12-24 · Motiv TSB-Radlok · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motiv power systems, inc. has determined that on certain vehicles converted to a motiv epic4 e-450 electric powertrain, a 12-volt power wire connection point could loosen over time, potentially resulting in loss of connection and loss of 12-volt control power to the high voltage batteries. this, in
Electrical System 2024-12-23 · Motiv TSB-Radlok3.6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motiv power systems, inc. has determined that on certain vehicles converted to a motiv epic4 e-450 electric powertrain, a 12-volt power wire connection point could loosen over time, potentially resulting in loss of connection and loss of 12-volt control power to the high voltage batteries. this, in
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-11-25 · Motiv TSB-Ring Terminal · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motiv power systems, inc. has determined that on certain vehicles converted to a motiv gen 4 e-450, f-59 and gen 5 f-59 and f-53 model powertrain, 12-volt power wires crimped to a ring terminal on the master disconnect switch under the hood could deteriorate over time and lose connection from the cr
Electrical System 2024-09-25 · PCM Software Amend 24V546 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motiv power systems, inc. has determined that on certain vehicles converted to a motiv gen 5 epic (e-450, f-59, f-53 models) powertrain, the vehicle control software could misclassify a loss of isolation between the chassis and high voltage system during operation. this in turn could result in a los
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.