2013 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 1998-2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner ER, 2000-2017 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 1998-1999 Vista, 2003 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2013-2017 Saf-T-liner C2, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2013-2017 Saf-T-Liner HDX. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.

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.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on July 28, 2016. A second notice was mailed to owners on December 16, 2016. Parts are available. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-713.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour school buses manufactured August 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013 and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Risk: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to by January 26, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-385-4357. DTNA's number for this campaign is FL-654.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling two model year 2013 Saf-T-Liner C2 Thomas Built school buses manufactured from April 18, 2012, through May 11, 2012, and equipped with Detroit Axle brand front axle knuckles. The front knuckles on these vehicles may have a machining error in the wheel bearing area which may lead to premature spindle failure.

Risk: If the spindle fails, the wheel may separate from the knuckle, resulting in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected components, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America toll free at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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."

Risk: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2013 freightliner, western star, freightliner custom chassis trucks, and thomas built buses manufactured from april 18, 2012, through may 11, 2012, and equipped with detroit axle-brand front axle knuckles. The front knuckles on these vehicles may have a machining error in the wheel bearing area which may lead to premature spindle failure.

Risk: If the spindle fails, the wheel may separate from the knuckle, resulting in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dtna will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the affected components, free of charge. The safety recall began on august 10, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks north america toll free at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical fault or short circuit may result in a fire.

Fix: 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.