RoadVitals

2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx

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.
2
Latest Apr 15, 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.
5
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.
1
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, most frequently naming the brakes and other / unspecified categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 86 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

  • Brakes250.0%
  • Other / unspecified250.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE11029ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Thomas Built CNG Tank Abrasion

Opened Sep 2, 2011
Closed Feb 17, 2012

On August 29, 2011 ODI received a Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) from a Los Angeles school district indicating a 2003 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX compressed natural gas (CNG) school bus in their fleet had insufficient clearance between the CNG tank and mounting bracket resulting in damage to the outer tank wrapping.The Mathematical Analysis Division of NHTSA calculated that a sample size of thirty (30) buses would give a high confidence (90%) estimation of whether similar buses were experiencing tank abrasion.In the course of this investigation nearly 70 buses (over 300 tanks) were inspected; no tank other than the subject of the VOQ was found to have insufficient clearance.Busses manufactured before and after the subject vehicle were inspected.As a result of this investigation, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) developed an improved inspection procedure that addresses the concerns identified in the Los Angeles complaint.In early February 2012 DTNA will mail an owner letter along with the new inspection procedure.See the investigative file for copies of DTNA's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by circumstances.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) number:10423400

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 15, 2008

BUSES MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT FRONT HUB PILOTED WHEELS CANNOT BE CENTERED ON HUB CREATING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT ALL SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY BRAKES ON THE SAME BUSES ARE CONTINUALLY REPORTED AS BEING EXCESSIVELY LOUD AND VIBRATING SEVERELY WHEN APPLIED. BRAKES POSSIBLY RELATED TO UNCENTERED WHEELS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER/DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224602
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 15, 2008

BUSES MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT FRONT HUB PILOTED WHEELS CANNOT BE CENTERED ON HUB CREATING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT ALL SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY BRAKES ON THE SAME BUSES ARE CONTINUALLY REPORTED AS BEING EXCESSIVELY LOUD AND VIBRATING SEVERELY WHEN APPLIED. BRAKES POSSIBLY RELATED TO UNCENTERED WHEELS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER/DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224599
Incident
Apr 15, 2008

Manufacturer communications

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

PAB036-2020

EQUIPMENT

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Lettering Changes - Notification

PAB028-2020

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Heater Hose Changes

PAB026-2020

SEATS

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on National Driver’s Seat Update

PAB014-2020

EQUIPMENT

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Defender Composite Stop Arm Changes

PAB012-2020

VISIBILITY

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on PV360 NS Camera – Type D

PAB010-2020

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Buy America Cummins B6.7 Engine

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 Hdx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030—
2025030—
2024020—
2023080—
20220110—
20210160—
20200180—
20191210—
20180260—
20170320—
20160290—
20150310—
20140300—
20130230—
20120190—
20110231—
20100161—
20091141—
20080141—
20070101—
2006191—
2005051—
2004Viewing251—
2003051—
2002010—
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.