RoadVitals

2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Oct 14, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 30, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, most frequently naming the engine category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 133 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V083000

EQUIPMENT

Jan 30, 2018
606 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-759View on NHTSA.gov
08V087000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Feb 26, 2008
243,435 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-525View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2008

A BUS DRIVER CALLS IN A PROBLEM TO THE DISPATCHER THAT THE BUS CUT OFF WHILE DURING THE ROUTE. IN AUGUST OF 2001 DPS PURCHASED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (125) THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINERS WITH CATERPILLAR 3126 B ENGINES. IN 2006 PRIOR TO THE ENGINE WARRANTY EXPIRING WE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE IDLE GEAR FAILURES AND APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TWO (22) WERE REPLACED AND COVER UNDER WARRANTY BY CATERPILLAR. HOWEVER, SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE LOST AN ADDITIONAL TWENTY SEVEN (27) OUT OF SERVICE THAT IS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS STILL GOING UP, AND THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245368
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

04TS-43REV4

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Revised Technical Service Letter for Series 60 and Series 50 Camshaft Timing Specifications. Camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and Jake Brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any Detroit Diesel engine.

SBT35-004

POWER TRAIN

Thomas Built Buses Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed.

PAB040-2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on RH 3 POS Switch for Electric Operated Entrance Door

SBT54-025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Thomas Built Bus Service Bulletin for When troubleshooting powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter® is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle powernet issues.

PAB036-2020

EQUIPMENT

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Lettering Changes - Notification

PAB035-2020

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Axial Mounted Air Disc Brake Caliper for Saf-T-Liner C2

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027060—
2026070—
20250130—
20240140—
20230120—
20221120—
20210150—
20201160—
20190240—
20181221—
20170281—
20160251—
20152201—
20140181—
20131182—
20123161—
20110224—
20101226—
20092217—
20085279—
20071254—
20062214—
20050164—
2004051—
2003141—
2002Viewing120—
2001010—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—
1995010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.