2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 Jouley, 2025-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2, 2026-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2, and Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER EFX2 school buses. The wheelhouse body interior joints may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in insufficient joint strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength.

Risk: A school bus with insufficient joint strength may not adequately protect passengers in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will add fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 21, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1044.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The fuel tank cage material and fuel system mounting may be incompatible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: During a crash, an incompatible fuel tank cage and fuel system may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will reconfigure components to accommodate the existing fuel tank cage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1037.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses. The fuel tank cage material and fuel system mounting may be incompatible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Risk: During a crash, an incompatible fuel tank cage and fuel system may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will reconfigure components to accommodate the existing fuel tank cage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1037.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2024-2027 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The vehicle's software may misinterpret contact if the door switch is bumped, deactivating the amber and red warning lights and the stop sign arm.

Risk: Warning lights and a stop sign arm that fail to activate will not warn other drivers the school bus is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will update the amber and red warning light software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1032.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2025-2026 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The brake caliper mounting bolts may loosen and detach, which can cause a loss of brake function and damage the tire and/or wheel.

Risk: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged wheel or tire can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace or tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1023.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2025-2026 Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner C2, 2026 Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The tie rod castle nut and cotter pin may not be installed properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is D25R2.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2024-2025 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The ground cable for the air conditioning system may have been improperly installed and overheat.

Risk: An overheated ground cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the ground cable connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 11, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1008.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2025 Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses. The ground cable for the air conditioning system may have been improperly installed and overheat.

Risk: An overheated ground cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the ground cable connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 11, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1008.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and 2024-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The audible emergency warning alarm sounds may not activate when the emergency hatch or window is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Risk: An inaudible alarm that fails to warn the driver of an open emergency exit can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the emergency sound software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1004.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and 2025 Thomas Built Buses Safe-T-Liner EFX school buses. The front axle tie rod ball joint studs may crack and break, which can result in tie rod separation.

Risk: Tie rod separation can cause a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is D24R6.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and EFX school buses. The wheel hub fasteners may loosen and cause the wheel to detach, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hub nut retaining system, wheel end, and axle components, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1002.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner Custom Chassis MC, MT45, MT45G, MT55, S2C 106, S2RV 106, XBS, XCM, XCP, XCR, XCS, Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 47X, 49X, 57X, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses, cabs, and chassis. The wheel hub fasteners may loosen and cause the wheel to detach, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hub nut retaining system, wheel end, and axle components, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1002.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Thomas Built SAF-T-Liner C2 and SAF-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The rubber ball seal in the Intellipark Park Valve Modules (PVM) may fracture and cause a leak, which can result in park brake failure or unexpected park brake engagement while driving.

Risk: Park brake failure or unexpected park brake engagement while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the Intellipark PVM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1000.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 and 2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 Jouley school buses. A rear interior joint between the bulkhead and window panel may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in insufficient joint strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Risk: A school bus with insufficient joint strength may not adequately protect passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will add additional mechanical fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL986.