THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER HDX (2019) recall — Power Train
Daimler Trucks North America recalls 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses with loose bolts that could disable the bus during traffic, requiring evacuation. Owners must contact DTNA for free inspection.
Use caution until it’s fixed
The loose bolts can become lodged in the starter, disabling the bus, resulting in an evacuation in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of an injury.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. Loose bolts in the power train could disable the bus during traffic, increasing injury risk if an evacuation is needed. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1224400-thomas-built-saf-t-liner-hdx-2019-bus-recall-loose.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1224400-thomas-built-saf-t-liner-hdx-2019-bus-recall-loose · Updated October 5, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #19V831000
Cite this page
“Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX 2019 Bus Recall: Loose Bolts Risk Evacuation.” GovInfoNow, updated October 5, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1224400-thomas-built-saf-t-liner-hdx-2019-bus-recall-loose. Based on NHTSA recall #19V831000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V831000).
Why it’s dangerous
Loose bolts in the Flex-Plate/Torque Converter area can become lodged in the starter, disabling the bus during traffic. This could lead to an uncontrolled evacuation situation, increasing injury risk.
Who’s affected
School bus owners and operators of 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX buses with Detroit DD8 Engines and Allison Transmissions are most at risk. Drivers using these buses without the fix may face evacuation risks.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your bus has a Detroit DD8 Engine and Allison Transmission. The recall covers 2018-2020 model years. DTNA issued an interim notification on December 13, 2019.
- Brand
Thomas Built- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact DTNA
Call 1-800-547-0712 to schedule a free inspection by a dealer.
Have dealer inspect fasteners
Dealers will tighten loose fasteners if needed at no cost.
What NHTSA says to do
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 13, 2019. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-839.
Questions people ask
Why is this recall happening?
The Flex-Plate/Torque Converter fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened, risking bus disablement during traffic.
How can I tell if my bus is affected?
Check if your bus has a Detroit DD8 Engine and Allison Transmission from 2018-2020 model years.
What should I do if I own this bus?
Contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712 to schedule a free inspection by a dealer.
Contact Thomas Built
We’ve drafted a message you can send Thomas Built to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 19V831000 — Thomas Built Thomas Built Hello, I own a Thomas Built that is covered by recall 19V831000 from Thomas Built. The official recall notice states: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 13, 2019. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-839. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #19V831000 (November 19, 2019)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 5, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.