2026 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 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2025-2027 Thomas Built Buses Minotour DRW, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, Thomas Built Buses HDX, and 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with certain QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The wheel chair restraint retractor may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1028.

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 2024-2026 Western Star 47X, Freightliner Business Class M2, FCCC MT55G, 2025-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Cascadia, Freightliner 114SD, FCCC MT45G, FCCC S2RV106, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Freightliner eCascadia, FCCC S2C106, and Freightliner 108SD vehicles. 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 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.