RoadVitals

2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx 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 Jul 24, 2024
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

24V555000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 24, 2024
27,494 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2019-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Minotour DRW, 2020-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, and Minotour SRW school buses. The Emergency Exit Label lettering is too small and may be difficult to read. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
The risk: Emergency exit labels that are difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will correct the lettering, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL918.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL918View on NHTSA.gov
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
22V688000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Sep 14, 2022
1,259 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The rear exterior side-body 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 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 November 11, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL953.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL953View on NHTSA.gov
22V634000

SEATS:BARRIERS

Aug 19, 2022
7,561 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2011-2021 Thomas Built Saf-T Liner HDX school buses. The forward seat barriers may not provide sufficient protection to passengers. 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: Occupants may collide with the front seat barriers with more force than intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will install a spacer between the seat rail and the seat barrier, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL843. This recall replaces NHTSA recall 19V899.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL843View on NHTSA.gov
22V510000

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
22V271000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Apr 22, 2022
2,943 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Thomas Built Bus HDX school buses. The positive battery cable may be routed improperly, allowing it to chafe against the transmission oil cooler hoses, which can cause an electrical short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL928.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL928View on NHTSA.gov
22V272000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Apr 22, 2022
138 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Thomas Built Bus HDX commercial buses. The positive battery cable may be routed improperly, allowing it to chafe against the transmission oil cooler hoses, which can cause an electrical short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL929.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL928View on NHTSA.gov
21V915000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Nov 22, 2021
1 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling one 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX transit bus. The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) may be improperly stated on the label. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
The risk: The operator may overload the vehicle while referencing the incorrect label, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: A dealer will apply a new label, free of charge. The owner notification letter is expected to be mailed January 16, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL911.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL911View on NHTSA.gov
21V850000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Nov 2, 2021
1,434 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Thomas Built EFX and HDX school buses. The nut for the power cable stud on the alternator may not have been tightened properly, which can cause a loose cable connection.
The risk: A loose power cable connection may cause electrical arcing, which can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the alternator power cable connection and tighten it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL904.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL904View on NHTSA.gov
21V660000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Aug 25, 2021
114 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses equipped with an ISL or L9 engine. The power steering hose may be routed with inadequate clearance between the hose and the power cables, potentially damaging the power steering hose.
The risk: A damaged power steering hose can leak, and increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: DTNA will inspect the power steering hose routing and modify it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL898.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL898View on NHTSA.gov
21V659000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Aug 25, 2021
1,934 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with an ISL or L9 engine. The power steering hose may be routed with inadequate clearance between the hose and the power cables.
The risk: A worn power steering hose increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: DTNA will inspect the power steering hose routing and modify it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL898.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL898View on NHTSA.gov
21V462000

SEATS

Jun 17, 2021
9 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses. These school buses may have been manufactured with an incorrect passenger seat configuration that does not provide the proper amount of seat back protection. As such, these school buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seats may not adequately protect the occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the rear passenger seats, free of charge. No owner notification will be distributed, all units were repaired on August 12, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-892.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-892View on NHTSA.gov
21V370000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

May 19, 2021
479 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses and Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.
The risk: Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-888View on NHTSA.gov
21V327000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

May 7, 2021
1,262 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DNTA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel lines, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-886.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-886View on NHTSA.gov
21V255000

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

Apr 12, 2021
1,252 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.
The risk: A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm bolts and steering arm, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-884View on NHTSA.gov
21V017000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Jan 20, 2021
6 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX and EFX school buses. On certain vehicles, one of the six brake caliper mounting bolts on the driver side steer axle may have been incorrectly tightened.
The risk: The loose bolt could result in the other caliper bolts to loosen. Insufficiently tightened bolts may not provide adequate clamping force between the brake caliper and brake anchor plate, resulting in reduced brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-873.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-873View 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