2022 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER C2: complaints, problems and recalls

This is a preventative complaint. In my opinion, all the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses have a serious blind spot due to the location of the driver's side mirrors. When pulling up to an intersection, or stop sign, the driver has to bend forward and backward to see past the mirror for oncoming traffic. I brought this issue up earlier with the manufacturer representative, and he said they would look into it, but no changes have been made or any retro-fit kits to move mirrors.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440627 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2020-12-21 (December 21, 2020)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The hydraulic caliper tie bar support fasteners on the steer axles may not have been properly tightened or the tie bar may have not been installed in some cases.

Consequence: A dangling tie bar could come in contact with the rotating wheel-end components or damage may occur from the brake parts flexing. Either scenario may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both steer axle wheel-ends to make sure that the four tie bar mounting fasteners are properly tightened. If the required tie bar is missing, the caliper anchor mounts and functionality (brake pad slide pins and pad movement) will be inspected before installing a tie bar. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-871.

Reported: 2020-12-21 (December 21, 2020)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Freightliner Custom Chassis MC, Business Class M2, Custom Chassis MBC Chassis, Custom Chassis S2 Chassis, Custom Chassis MT55 Chassis, and 2022 Custom Chassis Saf-T-Liner C2 vehicles. The hydraulic caliper tie bar support fasteners on the steer axles may not have been properly tightened or the tie bar may have not been installed in some cases.

Consequence: A dangling tie bar could come in contact with the rotating wheel-end components or damage may occur from the brake parts flexing. Either scenario may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both steer axle wheel-ends to make sure that the four tie bar mounting fasteners are properly tightened. If the required tie bar is missing, the caliper anchor mounts and functionality (brake pad slide pins and pad movement) will be inspected before installing a tie bar. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 18, 2021. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-871.

Reported: 2021-04-12 (April 12, 2021)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.

Consequence: A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm bolts and steering arm, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.

Reported: 2021-05-19 (May 19, 2021)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses and Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.

Consequence: Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.

Reported: 2021-07-20 (July 20, 2021)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built C2 Saf-T-Liner school buses. The parking brake activation switch may fail to set the parking brake.

Consequence: Unintended movement of the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will update the Dash Electronic Control Unit (DECU ) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-896.

Reported: 2021-12-08 (December 8, 2021)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The gas pedal may be misaligned and wear a hole into the floor mat, which can trap the gas pedal.

Consequence: A trapped gas pedal will not allow the vehicle to decelerate as expected when the driver lifts their foot from the gas pedal, resulting in unintended acceleration and an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the gas pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 5, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL913.

Reported: 2022-06-20 (June 20, 2022)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Thomas Built C2 Saf-T-Liner school buses equipped with 8.8L LPG engines. The engine control module (ECM) may set a fault code that results in an unexpected engine shut down.

Consequence: Unexpected engine shut down can increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a disabled school bus may require an evacuation procedure in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of injury to passengers.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL942.

Reported: 2023-09-13 (September 13, 2023)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Thomas Built Bus SAF-TLINER C2 JOULEY school buses equipped with an automatic low voltage disconnect switch. The automatic low voltage disconnect switch may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power, power steering, or vehicle lighting.

Consequence: A loss of drive power, power steering, or vehicle lighting can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the automatic low voltage disconnect switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 18, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL968.

Reported: 2023-05-09 (May 9, 2023)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 and 2021-2023 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 Jouley school buses.  A rear interior joint 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."

Consequence: A school bus with insufficient joint strength may not adequately protect passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will add additional fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL973.

Reported: 2023-10-03 (October 3, 2023)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 and 2020-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-Liner Jouley school buses. The fasteners for the emergency exit door may loosen and detach, which can allow the emergency exit door to open unexpectedly.

Consequence: An emergency exit door opening unexpectedly can increase the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners for the emergency exit door, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL982.

Reported: 2023-10-03 (October 3, 2023)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC. (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 transit buses. The fasteners for the emergency exit door may loosen and detach, which can allow the emergency exit door to open unexpectedly.

Consequence: An emergency exit door opening unexpectedly can increase the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners for the emergency exit door, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL982.

Reported: 2024-07-24 (July 24, 2024)

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2019-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Minotour DRW, 2020-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, and Minotour SRW school buses. The Emergency Exit Label lettering is too small and may be difficult to read. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: Emergency exit labels that are difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will correct the lettering, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL918.