What Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 112 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 162 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 226 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 261 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 265 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 246 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 243 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 203 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 200 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 196 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 201 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 193 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Please see pics, attached. Im sure this situation is common in millions of school buses.
snow and ice buildup on windshield and wiper blades reducing visibility. defrost was set on high, also used overhead fans to direct warm air onto windshield and still does not melt off until stopped.
This is a preventative complaint. In my opinion, all the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses have a serious blind spot due to the location of the driver's side mirrors. When pulling up to an intersection, or stop sign, the driver has to bend forward and backward to see past the mirror for oncoming traffic. I brought this issue up earlier with the manufacturer representative, and he said they would look into it, but no changes have been made or any retro-fit kits to move mirrors.
WINDOW FRAMES CRACK AND BREAK LEAVING EXPOSED SHARP METAL EDGES AND HOLES EXPOSED FOR STUDENTS TO PLACE FINGERS IN, CAUSING INJURY. THE WINDOW FRAME MATERIAL IS A PLASTIC/VINYL PRODUCT THAT CRACKS AND/OR BREAKS UNDER EXTREME COLD OR HOT CONDITIONS. THERE ARE 14 CRACKED OR BROKEN WINDOW FRAMES IN THIS BUS AS OF 4/11/2019. *DT*JB *AS CONSUMER STATED MY BUS MECHANIC HAS HAD CONTACT WITH SIOUX CITY SCHOOLS, ALGONA SCHOOLS, ESTHERVILLE SCHOOLS AND STORM LAKE SCHOOLS. ALL HAVE AND ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE THOMAS BUS WINDOWS, ALSO.*JB
WINDOW FRAMES CRACK AND BREAK LEAVING EXPOSED SHARP METAL EDGES AND HOLES FOR STUDENT RIDERS TO PLACE FINGERS IN, CAUSING INJURY. THE WINDOW FRAME MATERIAL IS A PLASTIC/VINYL PRODUCT THAT CRACKS AND/OR BREAKS UNDER EXTREME COLD OR HOT CONDITIONS. THERE ARE 10 CRACKED OR BROKEN WINDOWS IN THIS BUS AS OF 4/11/2019. *AS CONSUMER STATED AS OF 6/24/19 ALL BUSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE THOMAS BUS WINDOWS, ALSO.*JB
THIS SCHOOL BUS USES A PLASTIC ELBOW TO CONNECT A COOLANT LINE TO THE REAR HEATER INSIDE THE BUS. THE ELBOW IS CRACKING AND OR FAILING WHICH ALLOWS HOT COOLANT INSIDE THE BUS BODY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. THE BUS IS GENERALLY IN MOTION AND HEATER ON WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. *DT*JB
THIS SCHOOL BUS USES A PLASTIC ELBOW TO CONNECT A COOLANT LINE TO REAR HEATER INSIDE THE BUS.THE ELBOW IS CRACKING AND OR FAILING WHICH ALLOWS HOT COOLANT INSIDE THE BUS BODY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS. THE BUS IS GENERALLY IN MOTION AND HEATER ON WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS.*DT*JB *DT*JB
A 2018 THOMAS BUILT TYPE C SCHOOL BUS WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH ON A CITY/URBAN STREET WITH 5 PASSENGERS, PLUS THE OPERATOR ON BOARD. A TREE FELL AND STRUCK THE BUS NEAR, OR ON, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDSHIELD/ROOF AREA. THIS IMPACT CAUSED THE ENTIRE ROOF AREA TO COLLAPSE WITH SEVERE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE BUS.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Technical Service Bulletin for Vehicle Interface Controller (VIC) Software Update
Revised Service Solution for Retrofit to CSI Scroll Type Air Compressor for EB2-Jouley Electric School Bus (575177)
CX Advocate for Lost/Damaged Replacement F1011/F1015 Labels
Service Solution for A22-82459-000 Wiper Motor Wiring Connector Pinned Wrong (305)
Product Awareness Bulletin for Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX2, Saf-T-Liner EFX2 Accoustic Headlining
Product Awareness Bulletin for Saf-T-Liner C2 Crossview Mirrors with Pathway Lighting
Emissions recall for Subject: DTNA ZEP Label
Emissions recall for Subject: DTNA ZEP Label
Emissions recall for Subject: DTNA ZEP Label
Revised Product Awareness Bulletin for Wabco OnGuard ACTIVE for CEEA+ diesel powered Saf-T-Liner C2
Product Awareness Bulletin for Wabco OnGuard ACTIVE for CEEA+ diesel powered Saf-T-Liner C2
Product Awareness Bulletin for Saf-T-Liner C2 Headlamp Updates Revised
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On June 18, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-007 to investigate instances of leaf-style suspension springs fracturing in various model 2008-2018 Thomas Built Buses (TBB) school buses, which could lead to a road hazard if a piece of the leaf spring detaches from the vehicle while driving. This investigation was prompted by ODI’s review of field reports in Daimler Truck North America's (DTNA) Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data, describing cracked rear leaf-style suspen
ODI was made aware of multiple allegations of engine stall resulting from a loose barcode sticker in the fuel tank of certain model year (MY) 2012 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner transit style buses manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (TBB).The loose barcode sticker from a diesel powered cab heater (installed in some cold weather state buses) may become lodged in the fuel delivery pickup tube and restrict fuel flow. Early analysis suggested that at least one failure resulted in a school bus being
This investigation was opened after ODI was contacted by a fleet alleging that in certain situations, such as a light brake peal application during a low speed operation, the brake lamps fail to illuminate on the rear of the bus.ODI confirmed the problem with two fleets. On April 29, 2010, Daimler filed a defect report concerning this issue. The stop lamps may be intermittent during light brake applications. They are still evaluating the remedial program and will furnish this information to ODI wh
This investigation was opened after ODI received a complaint from a school bus fleet stating they had experienced warning lamps failing upon opening the front entrance door. After completing their evaluation, Daimler Trucks North America, the parent company of Freightliner and Thomas Built Buses, decided to conduct a safety recall to replace the reed switch on the front entrance door with a more robust switch. All repairs will be made by Thomas Built Buses dealers and direct warranty customers.
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI WAS INFORMED BY TWO SCHOOL BUS FLEETS THAT THEY HAD FOUND LOOSE BOLTS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARMS OF THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION ON SEVERAL OF THEIR BUSES. ODI VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE LOOSE BOLTS.IF THESE BOLTS FAIL AND SEPARATE, THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN SHIFT, ALLOWING THE REAR END HOUSING TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD.THIS COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON VEHICLE CONTROL.IN LATE NOVEMBER2009, DAIMLERFILED A SAFETY RECALL (09V-458)
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER A FLEET NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD LOST A FRONT DOOR GLASS PANEL WHILE THE BUS WAS BEING OPERATED.A FIELD INSPECTION REVEALED TWELVE MORE BUSES HAD LOOSE DOOR GLASS PANELS.ODI IS ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH OBJECTS THAT SEPARATE FROM VEHICLES AND COULD POSSIBLY STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN.ODI'S FINDINGS WERE RELAYED TO DAIMLER AND THEY COMMENCED AN INVESTIGATION.DAIMLER WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION ON APPROXIMATELY 13,945 BUSES
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTERA SCHOOL BUS DISTRICT INFORMED ODI THAT DURING A NEW BUSINSPECTION THE HANDRAILS WERE FOUND TO BE MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM STEP OF THE BUS AND FAILED THE DRAWSTRING TEST.(THE DRAWSTRING TEST WAS DEVELOPED IN THE EARLY 90'S TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN'S DRAWSTRINGS WOULD NOT GET CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL WHILE EXITING THE BUS.)SEVERAL OTHER NEW BUSES WERE INSPECTED AND THEY ALSO FAILED THE TEST. DAIMLER TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CONFIRM THE PROBLEM AND DETERMINE
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2027, owners most often name: structure, unknown or other, visibility. 10 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.