RoadVitals

2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

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 Jan 30, 2018
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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1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

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

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

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

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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Jan 13, 2009
2,426 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,426 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MY 2003 THROUGH 2006 SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL AND NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2005. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (VIM) LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS NEAR THE FRONT AXLE AND OUTSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COVER MAY BECOME CORRODED DUE TO WATER AND ROAD SPRAY INTRUSION. VIM CORROSION MAY CAUSE THE STARTER MOTOR TO ENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY OR THE BACKUP LIGHTS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY.
The risk: UNEXPECTED STARTER ENGAGEMENT OR INTERMITTENT BACKUP LIGHT OPERATION MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-544View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Jul 16, 2007
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.
The risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-504View 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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .