RoadVitals

2023 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.
8
Newest Feb 13, 2026
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
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.
0

Recall campaigns

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

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

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

Feb 13, 2026
52 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2023-2025 Saf-T-Liner EFX and 2023-2026 Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles. 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

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

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Jul 29, 2022
71 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The engine control module (ECM) may experience an internal short-circuit, which can result in an unexpected engine shut down.
The risk: Unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a disabled school bus may require an evacuation procedure in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.
The remedy: Cummins will replace the ECM, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 26, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-949.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number FL-949View 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

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

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

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