RoadVitals

2017 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

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

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

SEATS; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Jul 19, 2022
1,806 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-23 Thomas Built Buses HDX and 2014-22 EFX school buses equipped with 39-inch S3C seat frames and 3-point flex seatbelts. The passenger seat frames may crack and rotate from fatigue.
The risk: Cracked passenger seat frames may not adequately secure passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will secure the seat frames with brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail December 4, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL946.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL946View on NHTSA.gov
Oct 4, 2019
53,528 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner EFX, Minotour, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with SynTec S3B or S3C seats. The seats may have been manufactured with styrene blocks that may not provide sufficient impact absorption in certain specific areas around the steel seat frame of the back support. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
The risk: The lack of impact absorption increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install additional impact material between the re-bond back and the vinyl back cover to increase the amount of absorption, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on November 29, 2019. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-832.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-832View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

Jun 11, 2019
11,546 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2010-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, 2016-2019 HDX, and 2017-2019 EFX school buses equipped with Bendix Air Disc Brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.
The risk: The dragging brakes may lead to high temperatures at the wheel end, increasing the risk of smoke and fire, possibly resulting in the bus having to be evacuated, which can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-818.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-818View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jun 15, 2018
109 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.
The risk: In the event of a rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both secondary and primary system, causing the parking brakes to activate suddenly. This will increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-774.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-774View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jun 15, 2018
5 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX transit buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.
The risk: In the event of a rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both secondary and primary system, causing the parking brakes to activate suddenly. This will increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-774.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-774View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

May 29, 2018
2,767 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.
The risk: If the brake caliper mounting bolts come loose, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on July 25, 2018. The recall began September 4, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-772.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-772View on NHTSA.gov
Apr 19, 2018
23,102 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses equipped with S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued owners an interim notification on June 12, 2018. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-769View on NHTSA.gov
Apr 19, 2018
24 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 15, 20 18. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-769View on NHTSA.gov
Mar 26, 2018
6 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 10, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-763View on NHTSA.gov
Mar 26, 2018
6,606 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 9, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-763View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS

Nov 17, 2017
51 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour SRW school buses, equipped with IMMI-brand 3-point lap and shoulder belts. Under load, the seat belt buckle mount rod can fracture. As such, these seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the buckle mount rod fractures, the seat occupant may not be restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckle rods, free of charge. DTNA issues owners an interim notification on December 11, 2017. The recall began on May 23, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-753.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-753View on NHTSA.gov
May 11, 2017
1,132 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The occupant seats may have been installed without under-rail washers, reducing their anchorage strength.
The risk: Without under-rail washers, in the event of a crash, the seats may come loose, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats and replace the mounting hardware, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA Customer Service 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for the recall is FL-737.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-737View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Aug 31, 2016
958 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Thomas Built Buses Safe-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured July 15, 2014, to July 21, 2016, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. 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 Ricon 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 October 10, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884 or by email at [email protected]. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-716.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-716View on NHTSA.gov

OTHER:SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM ASSEMBLY

Feb 10, 2016
878 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured from May 1, 2015, through November 16, 2015, equipped with certain Transpec T6000, T6100, and T7000 series school bus stop arms. The affected stop arms have a reflective decal that may peel loose from the stop arm. As such, these stop arms fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 131, "School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices."
The risk: Without a reflective decal, the stop arms would have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and the stop arm blade assemblies will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or Transpec at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-700.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-700View on NHTSA.gov
Dec 15, 2015
508 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Minotour DRW and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses manufactured August 19, 2014, to October 22, 2015, and equipped with certain Syntec S3B Track Mounted Seats in 30", 36", 39" and 45" widths. In the event of a severe rear-end collision, the seats may tilt rearward. As such, these seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
The risk: In the event of a severe rear-end collision, the seats may tilt rearward and result in injuries to the passenger's knees and/or impede the exiting of the bus.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a toe-clamp on the front feet of the S3B track mounted seats, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000, or Syntec customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-698.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-698View 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