Recall directory / Thomas Built Buses / SAF-T-LINER EFX

Model-level recall history

Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER EFX recalls by year

Explore official NHTSA model-level records from 2006 through 2026. Choose a year to review consequences, remedies, campaign numbers, and instructions for that year and model.

163NHTSA recall records
42unique campaigns
21model years represented

Year-by-year record count

Recall history across model years

Affected systems

Frequently represented components

Component counts describe records in the NHTSA dataset, not failure rates.

Seats46 records across 9 unique campaigns
Equipment adaptive/mobility23 records across 3 unique campaigns
Structure: Body: Roof and pillars13 records across 1 unique campaign
Seats: Mid/rear assembly9 records across 1 unique campaign
Equipment: Other: Labels8 records across 3 unique campaigns
Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Hoses/lines/piping/fittings7 records across 2 unique campaigns
Steering: Linkages: Tie rod assembly7 records across 5 unique campaigns
Seats: Critical fasteners4 records across 1 unique campaign
Service brakes, air: Disc: Caliper4 records across 2 unique campaigns
Service brakes, air: Supply: Check valve4 records across 2 unique campaigns
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper4 records across 2 unique campaigns
Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator3 records across 1 unique campaign
Service brakes, air: Disc3 records across 1 unique campaign
Steering: Critical fasteners3 records across 2 unique campaigns
Structure: Emergency: Escape/egress/exit3 records across 2 unique campaigns
Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel2 records across 1 unique campaign
Electrical system: Wiring: Fuses and circuit breakers2 records across 1 unique campaign
Exterior lighting2 records across 1 unique campaign
Fuel system, diesel2 records across 1 unique campaign
Fuel system, diesel: Storage: Tank assembly2 records across 1 unique campaign
Other: School bus stop arm assembly2 records across 1 unique campaign
Seat belts2 records across 1 unique campaign
Steering2 records across 1 unique campaign
Structure: Body: Door2 records across 2 unique campaigns

Campaign history

Recently reported Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER EFX campaigns

Campaigns are grouped across the model years represented on this page.

26V08600002/13/2026

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.

Model years in this history: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Contact with hot heating coolant may burn occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

26V08700002/13/2026

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.

Model years in this history: 2025, 2024, 2023

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Contact with hot heating coolant may burn occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

25V84900012/09/2025

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2025-2027 Thomas Built Buses Minotour DRW, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, Thomas Built Buses HDX, and 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with certain QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The wheel chair restraint retractor may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Model years in this history: 2025

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1028.

25V60400009/11/2025

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.

Model years in this history: 2026

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

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.

24V55500007/24/2024

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."

Model years in this history: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Emergency exit labels that are difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

24V40100006/04/2024

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and 2025 Thomas Built Buses Safe-T-Liner EFX school buses. The front axle tie rod ball joint studs may crack and break, which can result in tie rod separation.

Model years in this history: 2025

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Tie rod separation can cause a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is D24R6.

24V39200006/03/2024

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and EFX school buses. The wheel hub fasteners may loosen and cause the wheel to detach, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Model years in this history: 2025

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the hub nut retaining system, wheel end, and axle components, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1002.

23V25900004/07/2023

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER SAF-T-LINER C2 Jouley, Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER EFX, Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX, Thomas Built Buses Chassis and 2023-2024 School Bus Chassis school buses. The tie rod may be missing a fastener, allowing the steer arm to detach.

Model years in this history: 2023

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A detached steering arm can result in a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will inspect and repair or replace the tie rod assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL970.

22V76200010/12/2022

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."

Model years in this history: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A school bus exterior roof panel with insufficient joint strength may separate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

22V51700007/20/2022

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The buses may not have a sufficient number of emergency exits. 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."

Model years in this history: 2023

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

An insufficient number of emergency exits can delay passengers from exiting the vehicle during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will add an emergency exit roof hatch, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL947.

22V51000007/19/2022

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.

Model years in this history: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Cracked passenger seat frames may not adequately secure passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

22V15300003/11/2022

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX School Buses. The passenger seat mounting bolts may break due to improperly placed mounting that allows contact with the chassis cross member bolts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorage" and 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Model years in this history: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A seat with broken mounting bolts may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will add a spacer to provide proper clearance between the passenger seat mounting and chassis cross member bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-921.

21V85000011/02/2021

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.

Model years in this history: 2022, 2021, 2020

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A loose power cable connection may cause electrical arcing, which can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

21V25500004/12/2021

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.

Model years in this history: 2022, 2021

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

21V01700001/20/2021

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.

Model years in this history: 2021

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

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.

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.

20V12600003/03/2020

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX, EFX, and C2 school buses equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Model years in this history: 2020, 2019

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-845.

19V71200010/04/2019

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner EFX, Minotour, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with SynTec S3B or S3C seats. The seats may have been manufactured with styrene blocks that may not provide sufficient impact absorption in certain specific areas around the steel seat frame of the back support. 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."

Model years in this history: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

The lack of impact absorption increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install additional impact material between the re-bond back and the vinyl back cover to increase the amount of absorption, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on November 29, 2019. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-832.

19V55000007/25/2019

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Thomas Built Minotour, Saf-T Liner C2, Saf-T Liner EFX, and Saf-T Liner HDX school buses equipped with Safe Fleet Prolo Roof Escape hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use.

Model years in this history: 2020, 2019

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a new handle, free of charge. Owners were issued an interim notification on September 13, 2019. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-819.

19V44400006/11/2019

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2010-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, 2016-2019 HDX, and 2017-2019 EFX school buses equipped with Bendix Air Disc Brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.

Model years in this history: 2019, 2018, 2017

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

The dragging brakes may lead to high temperatures at the wheel end, increasing the risk of smoke and fire, possibly resulting in the bus having to be evacuated, which can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-818.

18V91400012/19/2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX, C2, and EFX School Buses, equipped with Detroit Axle axles. The affected vehicles may have loose steering tie rod arm bolts.

Model years in this history: 2019, 2018

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, affecting vehicle steering, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering arm and tie rod arm bolts for to make sure that they are properly tightened, installing new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2019. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-802.

18V70200010/05/2018

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thomas Built school buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Model years in this history: 2019, 2018

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will check and tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-794.

18V40900006/15/2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.

Model years in this history: 2018, 2017

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

In the event of a rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both secondary and primary system, causing the parking brakes to activate suddenly. This will increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-774.

18V41000006/15/2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX transit buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.

Model years in this history: 2018, 2017

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

In the event of a rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both secondary and primary system, causing the parking brakes to activate suddenly. This will increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-774.

18V35200005/29/2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.

Model years in this history: 2019, 2018, 2017

Consequence and remedy

Consequence

If the brake caliper mounting bolts come loose, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on July 25, 2018. The recall began September 4, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-772.