RoadVitals

2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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 Feb 13, 2026
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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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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.

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
26V086000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Feb 13, 2026
2,843 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2023-2026 Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The heater hose clamps may not have been tightened properly, causing the hose to disconnect and leak heating coolant inside the passenger compartment.
The risk: Contact with hot heating coolant may burn occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the heater hose clamps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1030.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number F1030View on NHTSA.gov
25V604000

STEERING:CRITICAL FASTENERS; STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Sep 11, 2025
99 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2025-2026 Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner C2, 2026 Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The tie rod castle nut and cotter pin may not be installed properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
The risk: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is D25R2.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number D25R2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

SS 305-TBB

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Service Solution for EFX AC Upper bracket TBB 130987 replaced with TBB 248310

SS 308-TBB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Solution for Timer relay TBB 202400 replacement

MyCom_02102026-2

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My Communications for RAI RK6166302 Informational Bulletin

SS 582773-TBB

Service Solution for EFX Shock Mount Frame Rail Crack Repair

PAB018-2025

SEATS

Product Awareness Bulletin for discontinuation of IMMI T3 Activity Seats

MYCOM_09092025-1

My communications for DTNA Announces Extended Coverage Policy Updates

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 Efx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing020—
2025050—
2024020—
2023060—
2022060—
2021070—
2020080—
20190100—
20180140—
20170160—
20160120—
20150120—
20140150—
2013090—
2012040—
2011030—
2010020—
2009120—
2008020—
2007020—
2006020—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—

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.