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2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Recalls & Complaints

16

open safety recalls on record

Critical

3 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.00 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical19V444000

Service Brakes, Air:Disc

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

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Critical17V665000

Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

propane leak in the presence of an ignition source can raises the risk of a fire.

Remedy & full details

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the propane line routing, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 14, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-752.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The affected vehicles are propane-powered and have propane fuel lines that may contact the transmission yoke, possibly causing a propane leak.

Critical18V083000

Equipment

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can raises the risk of injury.

Remedy & full details

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 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

Critical11V573000

Engine And Engine Cooling

ELECTRICAL FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & full details

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE GRID HEATER RELAY GROUND WIRE IS CORRECTLY ROUTED AND MODIFIED AS REQUIRED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE POWER TERMINAL. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS B2 CHASSIS FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. THE GRID HEATER GROUND WIRE MAY CONTACT THE RELAY POWER TERMINAL AND RUB AND CHAFE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Critical11V480000

Engine And Engine Cooling

IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE.

Remedy & full details

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER MVP-EF, AND SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Serious17V454000

Equipment

In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may raises the risk of injury.

Remedy & full details

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track to reinforce the anchorage, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on September 13, 2017. The recall began on December 20, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-743.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses. In the event of a crash, the wheelchair pocket track anchorage may not adequately secure a the wheelchair.

Serious17V453000

Equipment

In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may raises the risk of injury.

Remedy & full details

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track to reinforce the anchorage, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on September 13, 2017. The recall began on December 20, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-743.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. In the event of a crash, the wheelchair pocket track anchorage may not adequately secure a the wheelchair.

Serious15V565000

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting.

Remedy & full details

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began onNovember 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Serious15V432000

Structure:Body:Door

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.

Remedy & full details

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 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.

Serious11V578000

Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal

FAILURE OF THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WILL RESULT IN DECREASED VISIBILITY OF THE BUS AND/OR ITS INTENDED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL TO OTHER DRIVERS WHICH COULD raises the risk of A CRASH.

Remedy & full details

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE BULK-HEAD MODULE SOFTWARE WILL BE UPDATED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 3, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH BULK-HEAD MODULE SOFTWARE RELEASE 2.1 AND REFERENCE PARAMETER RELEASE P38407-06. INACCURATE FAULT DETECTION VALUES IN THE BULK-HEAD MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING AFTER 5 TO 13 MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION.

Serious12V570000

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat.

Remedy & full details

Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 4, 2013. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.

Serious13V633000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

DTNA will notify owners and dealers will update the hybrid transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-657.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured December 3, 2009, through February 8, 2012, and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Serious12V296000

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy & full details

THOMAS BUILT BUSES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT BUSES AT 1-336-889-4871 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Serious15V425000

Structure:Body:Door

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.

Remedy & full details

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 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.

Serious12V572000

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat.

Remedy & full details

Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 4, 2013. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built non-school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.

Serious12V297000

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy & full details

THOMAS BUILT BUSES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT BUSES AT 1-336-889-4871 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Complaint volume

3 this model-year 8 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

0Crashes
0Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 3 complaints. Severity Index 0.00.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Unknown Or Other2 · 67%Seats1 · 33%
  1. Unknown Or Other — 2 reports
  2. Seats — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2002 (2) · 2003 (4) · 2006 (21) · 2007 (25) · 2008 (27) · 2009 (21) · 2010 (22) · 2012 · 2013 (18) · 2015 (20) · 2018 (22) · 2020 (16) · 2022 (12)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.