2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx2 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 2026-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 and Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER EFX2 school buses. The entrance door may fail to open or close when the switch is activated.

Risk: A door that fails to open or close increases the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the door relay for the entrance door system, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1035.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 transit buses. The entrance door may fail to open or close when the switch is activated.

Risk: A door that fails to open or close increases the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the door relay for the entrance door system, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated October 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1035.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 school buses. The driver seat belt anchor may have been installed with inadequate hardware. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: An improperly installed seat belt anchor may fail to properly restrain the driver in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt fastener components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1033.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 transit buses. The driver seat belt anchor may have been installed with inadequate hardware. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: An improperly installed seat belt anchor may fail to properly restrain the driver in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt fastener components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1033.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2026 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 school buses. Rear exterior 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 the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will add additional fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1026.

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.