CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX has 26 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX recalls
Roof panel joints may separate in a crash
Certain Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner EFX and HDX school buses have an exterior roof panel that was made with insufficient joint strength.
School Bus Seat Barriers May Not Protect Riders in a Crash
Certain Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses have forward seat barriers that may not provide sufficient protection to passengers.
Bus Seat Frames May Crack and Fail to Secure Riders
Certain Thomas Built school buses equipped with 39-inch S3C seat frames and 3-point flex seatbelts may develop cracks in the passenger seat frames from fatigue.
Steering hose can wear and cause a fire
Certain school buses have a power steering hose routed with too little clearance from the power cables.
Power steering hose can rub power cables and leak, causing fire risk
The power steering hose on certain transit buses may be routed with too little clearance from the power cables.
School bus seats may not protect riders in a crash
Certain 2018-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses may have been built with an incorrect passenger seat configuration.
Diesel Fuel Leak Can Create Fire Risk
A sealing washer on the high pressure fuel rail assembly may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, which can allow diesel fuel to leak from the fuel rail.
Small rear emergency exit label may slow escape
The instruction label for the rear emergency exit window on certain Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses may have lettering that is too small.
Loose Torque Converter Bolts Can Disable School Bus
Certain 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses with Detroit DD8 engines and Allison transmissions may have flex-plate/torque converter fasteners that were not tightened enough.
School Bus Seats May Not Absorb Crash Impact
Certain Thomas Built school buses from 2014 through 2020 may have been built with seats that use styrene blocks in the back support that may not absorb enough impact in some areas around the steel seat frame.
Rear brakes may drag and overheat, risking smoke or fire
The driver-side rear brakes on certain school buses fitted with Bendix air disc brakes may drag, meaning they can stay partially applied when the driver is not pressing the pedal.
Loose Steering Tie Rod Bolts Can Cause Loss of Steering
Certain 2018-2019 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner school buses (HDX, C2, and EFX models, equipped with Detroit Axle axles) may have loose steering tie rod arm bolts.
Loose Brake Caliper Bolts Can Reduce Braking
Some 2018-2019 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2, EFX and HDX school buses may have brake caliper mounting bolts that were not tightened enough during assembly.
Wheelchair Lift May Stop Above Floor, Risking Injury
The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height.
School Bus Brake Caliper Bolts May Loosen, Reducing Braking
Certain 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner school buses equipped with air disc brakes may have brake caliper mounting bolts that were not tightened enough.
School Bus Seats May Not Stay Secured in a Crash
Certain Thomas Built Buses school buses from model years 2014 to 2015, including Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour models, have S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats.
Bus Seats May Detach in a Crash, Raising Injury Risk
Certain Thomas Built Buses transit buses, including Saf-T-Liner C2, EFX and HDX and Minotour models, are equipped with S3B wall-mounted seats whose wall mounting bracket may crack.
School Bus Seat Brackets May Crack, Risking Injury in a Crash
Certain school buses from the 2014 to 2018 model years have wall-mounted passenger seats with a mounting bracket that may crack.
Bus Seats May Detach in a Crash, Raising Injury Risk
Certain transit buses built by Thomas Built Buses, including Saf-T-Liner C2, HDX, and EFX models and Minotour models, may have wall-mounted passenger seats with a mounting bracket that can crack.
Seats May Lack Bracket, Raising Crash Injury Risk
Some school buses have seats that may be missing a reinforcement bracket.
Bus Seats May Lack a Bracket, Raising Crash Injury Risk
Some Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX and C2 transit buses from model years 2014 through 2018 may be missing a reinforcement bracket on seats that have 3-point seat belts.
School Bus Seats May Not Be Securely Anchored
Some Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX and HDX school buses from model years 2014 through 2017 may have occupant seats installed without under-rail washers.
Seat Lap Belts May Not Restrain Riders in a Crash
Certain 2013-2018 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses may have occupant seat lap belts anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure.
School Bus Seat Lap Belts May Not Restrain Riders in a Crash
Some school buses in this recall have occupant seat lap belts anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure.
Loose Steering Bolt Can Cause Loss of Steering Control
A bolt that secures the steering shaft connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels may not have been properly tightened at the factory.
Loose Steering Bolt Can Cause Loss of Steering Control
A bolt that connects the steering wheel to the front wheels on certain Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses may not have been tightened properly at the factory.
2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX questions
Does the 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 26 safety recalls for the 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX: Roof panel joints may separate in a crash; School Bus Seat Barriers May Not Protect Riders in a Crash; Bus Seat Frames May Crack and Fail to Secure Riders; Steering hose can wear and cause a fire; Power steering hose can rub power cables and leak, causing fire risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.