Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER HDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
81 distinct recall campaigns
26,635 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Air is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 60.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
Service Brakes, Air: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2008: 3; 2011: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Air leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10224599 · 2008-04-15 (April 15, 2008)
BUSES MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT FRONT HUB PILOTED WHEELS CANNOT BE CENTERED ON HUB CREATING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT ALL SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY BRAKES ON THE SAME BUSES ARE CONTINUALLY REPORTED AS BEING EXCESSIVELY LOUD AND VIBRATING SEVERELY WHEN APPLIED. BRAKES POSSIBLY RELATED TO UNCENTERED WHEELS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER/DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10224599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224602 · 2008-04-15 (April 15, 2008)
BUSES MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT FRONT HUB PILOTED WHEELS CANNOT BE CENTERED ON HUB CREATING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT ALL SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY BRAKES ON THE SAME BUSES ARE CONTINUALLY REPORTED AS BEING EXCESSIVELY LOUD AND VIBRATING SEVERELY WHEN APPLIED. BRAKES POSSIBLY RELATED TO UNCENTERED WHEELS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER/DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10224602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479527 · 2022-08-16 (August 16, 2022)
It appears the battery cables were rubbing the transmission cooler lines and after an extended period caused a thermal event. it burned wiring harnesses, the DEF pump and lines and a good portion of battery cable. Had there been children on the bus at the time of the thermal event it could have been catastrophic. This vehicle has been inspected by the Manufacturer and they are covering repairs. There has been an interim/info only recall issued. FL928-A.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399367 · 2011-05-06 (May 6, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER HDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,107. UPDATED 10/4/11 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 26,635 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399367 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 30 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2010: 16; 2011: 23; 2012: 19; 2013: 23; 2014: 30; 2015: 31; 2016: 29; 2017: 32; 2018: 26; 2019: 21; 2020: 18; 2021: 16; 2022: 11; 2023: 8; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 3
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 2003 | 0 | 5 | +4 |
| 2004 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 9 | +4 |
| 2007 | 0 | 10 | +1 |
| 2008 | 0 | 14 | +4 |
| 2009 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 16 | +2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 23 | +7 |
| 2012 | 0 | 19 | -4 |
| 2013 | 0 | 23 | +4 |
| 2014 | 0 | 30 | +7 |
| 2015 | 0 | 31 | +1 |
| 2016 | 0 | 29 | -2 |
| 2017 | 0 | 32 | +3 |
| 2018 | 0 | 26 | -6 |
| 2019 | 1 | 21 | -5 |
| 2020 | 0 | 18 | -3 |
| 2021 | 0 | 16 | -2 |
| 2022 | 0 | 11 | -5 |
| 2023 | 0 | 8 | -3 |
| 2024 | 0 | 2 | -6 |
| 2025 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 2026 | 0 | 3 | 0 |