2024 LION LIONC Complaints and Recall Information

The 2024 LION LIONC has 2 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with electrical components, including smoking and overheating connectors. Other complaints involve voltage irregularities affecting onboard systems.

Common Issues

• Smoke and heat in electrical connectors. A front heater fan connector on the driver side overheats and emits smoke due to insulation failure, creating a short circuit that blackens the area and risks fire inside the bus.
• Low voltage problems. Erratic lighting and cycling of the two-way radio are linked to voltage drops inside the vehicle, impacting onboard electronics.

There are five recalls affecting the 2024 LION LIONC school buses. The recalls cover systems including brakes, electrical components, and engine cooling. Most recalls involve defects that may cause loss of vehicle control or high-voltage circuit failures requiring free repairs by the manufacturer.

Recalls

• Service brakes, air (NHTSA 23V710000). Seven vehicles affected. ABS pneumatic valves and rear wheel speed sensors may be incorrectly installed, causing wheel lockup or loss of control during ABS braking, increasing crash risk. Repairs involve correcting brake connections at no cost. Owner notifications began December 15, 2023.
• Electrical system cables and connectors (NHTSA 24V460000). One hundred vehicles affected. The CAN connector for high-voltage battery number 4 can be installed incorrectly, allowing water ingress that leads to battery connection loss. This may cause loss of power steering assist and reduced braking, increasing crash risk. Repairs include reinstalling or replacing connectors free of charge. Notifications started July 29, 2024.
• Parking brake (NHTSA 24V377000). Forty-three vehicles affected. The parking brake lever may release without pressing the release button, risking vehicle rollaway and potential injury. Lion Electric will instruct inspections and replace levers if needed at no charge. Owner letters mailed July 25, 2024.
• Electrical system (NHTSA 23V452000). Sixty-five vehicles affected. Loose hardware inside the high-voltage distribution unit or DC junction box may cause short circuits, resulting in loss of steering assist, drive power, and braking. Repairs involve replacing hardware free of charge. Notifications sent August 21, 2023.
• Engine and engine cooling (NHTSA 23V448000). One hundred thirty-three vehicles affected. The surge tank may move and crack the firewall, damaging high-voltage cables and causing loss of steering assist, drive power, and reduced braking. A new surge tank support bracket will be installed at no cost. Owner notifications began August 21, 2023.

Owners dealing with repeated electrical failures or unresolved recall issues involving safety systems may have rights under their state lemon law. Consulting an attorney who specializes in consumer protection and lemon law may be advisable for persistent problems.