2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other SAF-T-Liner HDX years
- Not enough data 1st of 25 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX. That is the most of any SAF-T-Liner HDX model year in the database (25 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes, air (2 complaints, 100%). There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 2owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 100% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 100% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment
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.
Structure:body:door
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.
Structure:body:door
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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 2,426 thomas built buses my 2003 through 2006 saf-t-liner hdx school and non school buses manufactured between april 1, 2002 through august 30, 2005. The automatic transmission control module (vim) located between the frame rails near the front axle and outside the transmission control module cover may become corroded due to water and road spray intrusion. Vim corrosion may cause the starter motor to engage unexpectedly or the backup lights to operate intermittently.
Risk: Unexpected starter engagement or intermittent backup light operation may lead to a vehicle crash or personal injury.
Fix: Daimler trucks will notify owners and repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships and direct warranty customers free of charge. The recall began on october 19, 2009. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712.
Service brakes, air:supply:check valve
Problem: Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.
Risk: These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
Fix: Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Thomas Built CNG Tank Abrasion (PE11029) — opened Sep 2, 2011, closed Feb 17, 2012.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Buses manufactured in such a way that front hub piloted wheels cannot be centered on hub creating excessive vibration at all speeds and causing an unsafe condition. Additionally brakes on the same buses are continually reported as being excessively loud and vibrating severely when applied. Brakes…
Buses manufactured in such a way that front hub piloted wheels cannot be centered on hub creating excessive vibration at all speeds and causing an unsafe condition. Additionally brakes on the same buses are continually reported as being excessively loud and vibrating severely when applied. Brakes…
Other Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX?
Owners most often report service brakes, air, wheels problems. The top one, service brakes, air, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SAF-T-Liner HDX model years, the 2004 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.