Thomas / Thomas Built Buses recall: Structure

What is wrong

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 handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.

What could happen

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.

The 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.

Vehicles covered

• Thomas Saf-T-Liner Conventional 2001–2005
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 2005–2013
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx 2013
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Er 2002–2004
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Fs65 2001–2008
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx 2003–2013
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Mvp-Ef 2002–2013
• Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Mvp-Er 2002–2003
• Thomas Built Buses Tl-960 2002–2003
• Thomas Built Buses Vista 2002

Facts

NHTSA recall number

15V432000

Type

Vehicle

Filed by

Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Reported to NHTSA

Jul 7, 2015

Owners notified

Dec 24, 2015

Vehicles or items affected

103,038

Started by

The manufacturer

Built

–

Part

Structure › Body › Door

Maker's own recall number

FL-685

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other recalls for the same vehicles

• Thomas / Thomas Built Buses recall: Structure Jun 7, 2016
• Thomas / Thomas Built Buses recall: Structure Jun 2, 2016
• Thomas / Thomas Built Buses recall: Structure Jul 6, 2015
• Thomas Built Buses recall: Engine Oct 21, 2026
• Thomas Built Buses recall: Exterior lighting Oct 1, 2026
• Thomas Built Buses recall: Fuel system, diesel Aug 10, 2026

To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.