2005 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (8)
Equipment 2018-01-30 · campaign 18V083000 · 606 vehicles
Defect: 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 i
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.
Equipment 2017-07-17 · campaign 17V453000 · 1,462 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Equipment 2017-07-17 · campaign 17V454000 · 32 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Structure:body:door 2015-07-07 · campaign 15V432000 · 103,038 vehicles
Defect: 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 han
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 2015-07-06 · campaign 15V425000 · 3,013 vehicles
Defect: 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 corro
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.
Electrical System 2011-10-18 · campaign 11V503000 · 3,109 vehicles
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2004 THROUGH DECEMBER 26, 2005. THE PASS-THROUGH POWER CABLE CONNECTIONS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE KICK PANEL MAY CORRODE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRIC FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: AN ELECTRIC FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT OF AN UN-FUSED POWER CABLE MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: THE FINAL REMEDY IS BEING DEVELOPED. DTNA WILL SEND OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTICE ADVISING THEM TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES FOR CORROSION IN THE AREA OF THE POWER TERMINALS, AND IF EXCESSIVE CORROSION IS FOUND, TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY DTNA FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2011-10-18 · campaign 11V505000 · 700 vehicles
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7 ENGINES, HYDRAULIC BRAKES, AND A FUEL WATER SEPARATOR. THE FUEL LINE GOING FROM THE FUEL WATER SEPARATOR TO THE ENGINE MAY RUB ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY REDUCE BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS THE CORRECT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES. DAMAGED LINES WILL BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2010-04-30 · campaign 10V177000 · 6,548 vehicles
Defect: DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING JANUARY 19, 2005 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2010. THE STOP LAMPS MAY BE INTERMITTENT DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS.
Risk: THE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT PROPERLY INDICATE THAT THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH MAY LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
Service bulletins (152)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility/Wiper 2025-05-20 · SS299-TBB · Other
service solution for c2 window retrofi t (new stylewindow in old style bus)
Steering 2022-01-04 · SBT33-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revised thomas built buses service bulletin for tie-rod and drag-link ball-stud cover deterioration. minor note: added an update of document previously submitted. the related vmrs codes are added
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-02-19 · 04TS-43REV4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revised technical service letter for series 60 and series 50 camshaft timing specifications. camshaft timing, valve lash, injector height, and jake brake lash are all very important specifications that must be followed closely in order to optimize the performance and service life of any detroit dies
Power Train 2020-12-23 · SBT35-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
thomas built buses service bulletin for axle flange gasket replaced with o-ring. daimler trucks north america has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber o-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). the new o-ring will provide better sealing and
Structure:body:door 2020-11-03 · PAB040-2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
thomas built buses product awareness bulletin on rh 3 pos switch for electric operated entrance door
Equipment 2020-10-27 · SBT54-025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
thomas built bus service bulletin for when troubleshooting powernet issues, use the bct-460dtna powernet assessment tool. as of may 29, 2018, the autometerãâ® is the only daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle powernet issues.
Showing the 6 most recent of 152 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.