1997 THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2

1 recalls — 0 complaints — 3 TSBs

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Defect Description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING RO... Read more

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. O... Read more

243,435 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

No complaints found for this vehicle.

Technical Service Bulletins — 1997 THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2

3 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
105100 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT	1
105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT	1
100000 POWER TRAIN	1

100000 POWER TRAIN

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Allison 2550 PTS w/ Detroit Engine (DD5)

105100 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

THOMAS BUILT: NEW TIGHTENING PROCEDURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR HALF ROUND U JOINT BEARING STRAP CAPSCREWS, WHICH SHOULD EXTEND U JOINT LIFE. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE

105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

THOMAS BUILT: NEW TIGHTENING PROCEDURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR HALF ROUND U JOINT BEARING STRAP CAPSCREWS, WHICH SHOULD EXTEND U JOINT LIFE. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE

NHTSA Safety Investigations — THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008

Rear Leaf Spring Fractures

On June 18, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-007 to investigate instances of leaf-style suspension springs fracturing in various model 2008-2018 Thomas Built Buses (TBB) school buses, which could lead to a road hazard if a piece of the leaf spring detaches from the vehicle... while driving. This investigation was prompted by ODI’s review of field reports in Daimler Truck North America's (DTNA) Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data, describing cracked rear leaf-style suspension springs in Thomas Built school buses. ODI contacted three municipal school bus fleets with subject vehicles. These fleets described similar failures where a fractured piece of leaf spring separated from the vehicle while driving. In addition, ODI contacted a nationwide school bus transportation service provider who identified several failures of this component. DTNA’s response to NHTSA’s Information Request (IR) in this investigation acknowledged that TBB school bus leaf springs may corrode and fracture. DTNA data provided in response to the IR did not show a high frequency of failures that result in portions of a cracked leaf spring detaching from the vehicle.In the response, the majority of the information concerned C2 springs. While the C2 represents approximately 71% of the sales, 136 of 141 warranty claims (97%) were for C2 buses, and 94% of all of the replacement parts sales were for C2 springs. In 2021, DTNA retained Exponent to assess reports of rear leaf spring fractures on TBB C2 school buses. As part of its assessment, Exponent inspected in-service buses and leaf springs, conducted material and metallurgical analyses of exemplar leaf springs, and analyzed manufacturer- and fleet-generated claims data. Exponent concluded based on its assessment that DTNA’s leaf springs are typical for the industry and within DTNA’s specification, and it found a low frequency of a cracked leaf springs detaching from vehicles. Exponent also asserted that it could not confirm any instance of detachment while driving, resulting in roadway debris. In 2022, in response to NHTSA’s ongoing investigation, Exponent conducted additional analysis of the metallurgical characteristics of new and used (in-service) subject leaf springs and reviewed data from a major nationwide school bus transportation provider that had obtained leaf spring replacements. Similar to its initial findings, Exponent determined that the leaf spring material specified by DTNA is commonly used for leaf springs and adheres to industry-adopted standards. Exponent’s metallurgical analysis also showed that DTNA’s springs are coated with a corrosion inhibitor. Exponent’s failure analysis of fractured leaf springs found that the fractures were due to fatigue crack initiation and growth, a common fracture mode for this component. Exponent’s inspection of in-service leaf springs found surface corrosion within the expected range. Exponent also found that corrosion pitting may play a role in fatigue crack initiation. Exponent’s analysis of DTNA warranty data found one claim in which part of the leaf spring was described as missing. Based on NHTSA’s investigation, including its careful review and assessment of the analysis provided by DTNA’s consultant Exponent, there is insufficient information at this time to conclude that a defect results in detached leaf springs creating a hazard for other roadway users. However, ODI does acknowledge that most roadway users encountering this type of debris would not know what it was or where it came from. For reporting purposes, using roadway debris as a measure could result in this issue being under-reported. Additionally, leaf springs are generally considered wear components that need routine inspection. If signs of corrosion or fracture are present, leaf springs should be immediately replaced. During NHTSA’s investigation, DTNA did share messaging with school bus fleets reminding them of the importance of routine and required inspection of school bus wear components, including leaf springs. Considering the nature of this component and available information, including the metallurgical analysis of DTNA’s in-use components and low rate of broken or missing leaf springs for the subject population, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety‐related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2013

Blocked Fuel Delivery Resulting in Stall

ODI was made aware of multiple allegations of engine stall resulting from a loose barcode sticker in the fuel tank of certain model year (MY) 2012 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner transit style buses manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (TBB).The loose barcode sticker from a diesel powered cab heater (i... Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008

Inoperative 8-Way Warning Lamps

This investigation was opened after ODI received a complaint from a school bus fleet stating they had experienced warning lamps failing upon opening the front entrance door. After completing their evaluation, Daimler Trucks North America, the parent company of Freightliner and Thomas Built Buses, de... Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008

REAR SPRING TRAILING ARM BOLT LOOSE

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER ODI WAS INFORMED BY TWO SCHOOL BUS FLEETS THAT THEY HAD FOUND LOOSE BOLTS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARMS OF THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION ON SEVERAL OF THEIR BUSES. ODI VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE LOOSE BOLTS.IF THESE BOLTS FAIL AND SEPARATE, THE RE... Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008

DOOR GLASS DETACHMENT

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTER A FLEET NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD LOST A FRONT DOOR GLASS PANEL WHILE THE BUS WAS BEING OPERATED.A FIELD INSPECTION REVEALED TWELVE MORE BUSES HAD LOOSE DOOR GLASS PANELS.ODI IS ALWAYS CONCERNED WITH OBJECTS THAT SEPARATE FROM VEHICLES AND COULD POSSIBLY STRIKE ANO... Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2005

IMPROPER HANDRAIL INSTALLATION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AFTERA SCHOOL BUS DISTRICT INFORMED ODI THAT DURING A NEW BUSINSPECTION THE HANDRAILS WERE FOUND TO BE MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM STEP OF THE BUS AND FAILED THE DRAWSTRING TEST.(THE DRAWSTRING TEST WAS DEVELOPED IN THE EARLY 90'S TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN'S DRAWSTRIN... Read more

PE — Closed — Model Year: 2005

INADVERTENT DOOR CLOSING

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON FOUR FLEETS CONTACTING ODI ALLEGING MULTIPLE EVENTS WHERE THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED WHILE LOADING AND DISCHARGING CHILDREN.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BUS WARNING LIGHTS (RED WARNING LAMPS AND STOP ARM LAMPS) ARE DE-ACTIVATED, SINCE THEY OPERATE OFF... Read more

THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2 across all model years (1995–2027).

430 Total Recalls

25 Total Complaints

7 Investigations

1 Reported Crashes

1 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2027	4	0	View
2026	5	0	View
2025	11	0	View
2024	12	0	View
2023	12	0	View
2022	12	3	View
2021	15	0	View
2020	16	1	View
2019	24	0	View
2018	22	1	View
2017	28	0	View
2016	25	0	View
2015	20	2	View
2014	18	0	View
2013	18	1	View
2012	16	3	View
2011	22	0	View
2010	22	1	View
2009	21	2	View
2008	27	6	View
2007	25	1	View
2006	21	2	View
2005	16	0	View
2004	5	0	View
2003	4	1	View
2002	2	1	View
2001	1	0	View
2000	1	0	View
1999	1	0	View
1998	1	0	View
1997 (current)	1	0
1996	1	0	View
1995	1	0	View

Other THOMAS BUILT BUSES Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
C2	0	0	View
CL-960	0	0	View
CONVENTIONAL	0	0	View
EF	0	0	View
ER	0	0	View
FS-65	0	0	View
FS65	0	0	View
HDX	0	0	View