RoadVitals

2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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.
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Newest Oct 12, 2022
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open 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.
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Recall campaigns

9 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

22V762000

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Oct 12, 2022
17,613 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2011-2023 Thomas Built EFX and HDX school buses. The exterior roof panel was manufactured with insufficient joint strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."
The risk: A school bus exterior roof panel with insufficient joint strength may separate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will add additional mechanical fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL957.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL957View on NHTSA.gov
15V564000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 4, 2015
52 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour DRW transit buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
The risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-686View on NHTSA.gov
15V565000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 4, 2015
4,334 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
The risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began onNovember 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-686View on NHTSA.gov
15V432000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Jul 7, 2015
103,038 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 school buses manufactured from February 5, 2001, through May 29, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
The risk: If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on August 25, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-685View on NHTSA.gov
15V425000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Jul 6, 2015
3,013 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 non-school buses. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
The risk: If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 28, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-685View on NHTSA.gov
13V537000

SEATS

Oct 30, 2013
328 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses manufactured October 17, 2011, through July 2, 2013. A U-bolt intended to reinforce certain seat installations to the chassis may have been left out of the assembly process.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seats may not stay mounted to the chassis, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners and dealers will install the U-bolts as required, free of charge. The recall began on December 13, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-5219. DTNA's recall number is FL-650.
Daimler Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number FL-650View on NHTSA.gov
13V364000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Aug 15, 2013
8 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Saf-T-Liner (EF, EFX, and HDX) buses equipped with an auxiliary fuel pickup tube for use with an optional chassis coolant heater and manufactured January 1, 2012, through October 4, 2012. An information label affixed to the auxiliary heater fuel pickup tube may detach and fall off into the fuel tank, inhibiting fuel delivery to the engine.
The risk: Insufficient fuel delivery may cause the engine to stumble, run erratically, or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Daimler will notify owners and dealers will inspect the tanks and auxiliary heater fuel pickup tubes for labels. Any labels will be removed, free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2013. Owners may contact Daimler at 1-800-716-7466. Daimler's recall number is FL-643.
Daimler Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number FL-643View on NHTSA.gov
13V365000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Aug 15, 2013
237 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Saf-T-Liner (EF, EFX, and HDX) buses equipped with an auxiliary fuel pickup tube for use with an optional chassis coolant heater and manufactured January 1, 2012, through October 4, 2012. An information label affixed to the auxiliary heater fuel pickup tube may detach and fall off into the fuel tank, inhibiting fuel delivery to the engine.
The risk: Insufficient fuel delivery may cause the engine to stumble, run erratically, or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Daimler will notify owners and dealers will inspect the tanks and auxiliary heater fuel pickup tubes for labels. Any labels will be removed, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2013. Owners may contact Daimler at 1-800-716-7466. Daimler's recall number is FL-643.
Daimler Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number FL-643View on NHTSA.gov
13V022000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jan 23, 2013
143 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses brand Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses manufactured from March 29, 2012, through November 14, 2012 and equipped with 100% Daytime Running Lights (DRL) option code C3676-24-000. The DRL circuit breaker may trip during continuous operation of the headlights in high beam mode. This would result in a loss of power to the headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting.
The risk: A loss of power to the bus' lights may reduce the driver's ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects, as well as reduce the bus' visibility to other drivers or pedestrians, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy: DTNA has notified the affected owners. Dealers will replace the circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2012. Owners may contact Thomas Built Buses Warranty Department at 1-366-889-4871.
Daimler Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number FL-638View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources