2014 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER C2: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured July 9, 2013, through September 12, 2013. The rivets used to attach the seat track to the floor may not have been properly seated when installed.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, any improperly seated seat track rivets may prevent the seat belt anchorages from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners and dealers will reinforce the seat track mounting as required, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-5219. DTNA's recall number is FL-651.

Reported: 2013-11-29 (November 29, 2013)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2014-09-23 (September 23, 2014)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured September 17, 2013, to August 27, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with LPI fuel rails for 6 and 8 liter engines. The propane fuel injectors in these fuel rails may not be properly secured by the retainer clip and a fuel delivery tube may leak.

Consequence: Either condition may result in a propane leak which may cause a stall. Additionally, leaking propane in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities or CleanFuel USA authorized repair facilities will verify the proper installation of the injector retainer clip, and replace any leaking fuel delivery tubes, free of charge. The recall began on November 21, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-667.

Reported: 2015-09-04 (September 4, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2017-07-17 (July 17, 2017)

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2017-07-17 (July 17, 2017)

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2017-09-21 (September 21, 2017)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. A reinforcement bracket may be missing from the seats that have 3-point seat belts.

Consequence: Without the reinforcement bracket, the seat may not be adequately secured, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats, installing any missing reinforcement brackets, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on November 7, 2017. The recall began on March 15, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-747.

Reported: 2017-09-21 (September 21, 2017)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses. A reinforcement bracket may be missing from the seats that have 3-point seat belts.

Consequence: Without the reinforcement bracket, the seat may not remain adequately secured, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats, installing any missing reinforcement brackets, as needed, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on November 7, 2017. The recall began on March 14, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-747.

Reported: 2017-10-19 (October 19, 2017)

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)

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

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

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-03-26 (March 26, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with propane engines. The propane fuel line may contact the j-hook body support bracket that could cause chafing resulting in a propane leak.

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

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the propane line clearance and reroute the line if needed. Any damaged lines will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 9, 2018. The recall began on July 3, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-765.

Reported: 2018-03-26 (March 26, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 9, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.

Reported: 2018-03-26 (March 26, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 10, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.

Reported: 2018-04-19 (April 19, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses equipped with S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued owners an interim notification on June 12, 2018. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.

Reported: 2018-04-19 (April 19, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 15, 20 18. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.

Reported: 2019-06-11 (June 11, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-10-04 (October 4, 2019)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner EFX, Minotour, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with SynTec S3B or S3C seats. The seats may have been manufactured with styrene blocks that may not provide sufficient impact absorption in certain specific areas around the steel seat frame of the back support. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence: The lack of impact absorption increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install additional impact material between the re-bond back and the vinyl back cover to increase the amount of absorption, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on November 29, 2019. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-832.