NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX, describing incidents dated October 26, 2009 to February 25, 2010.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint

Of the 2 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10328929 · Filed May 5, 2010
I RECEIVED A NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 10V177) YESTERDAY REGARDING STOPLAMP FAILURE ON THOMAS C2 BUSES. OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM OF INTERMITTENT STOPLAMP OPERATION ON ONE OF OUR 2009 HDX THOMAS BUSES. A RESISTOR (NOT SHOWN ON THOMAS WIRING DIAGRAMS) WAS PLACED…
ODI #10323346 · Filed April 1, 2010
1. AFTER DRIVING THE 2009 THOMAS HDX BUS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, DRIVER WAS BRINGING THE BUS TO A STOP, AND BEFORE HE ACTIVATED THE DOORS OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, HE SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HE REPORTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH…

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE10-011: Dash Fires
Closed May 26, 2010
- Recall 10V-183
- Recall 10V-184

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #11V455000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported August 31, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 43 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10C-5 · Owners notified September 12, 2011 · Vehicles built June 23, 2004 – March 15, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, STERLING ACTERRA, 7500 & 8500, AND THOMAS BUILT HDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2004, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Safety consequence

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS' RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 10C-5.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #10V340000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2010 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 5,445 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10C-5 · Owners notified July 29, 2011 · Vehicles built September 5, 2006 – June 30, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FCCC B2 106 CH AND THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 AND HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.

Safety consequence

A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

DASH HEATER ACTUATOR

NHTSA #10V183000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2010 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 1,515 vehicles

Owners notified July 6, 2010 · Vehicles built November 15, 2007 – June 15, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED ON NOVEMBER 15, 2007 THROUGH JUNE 15, 2009. THE HEATER COOLANT FLOW VALVE ACTUATOR 0-RING MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT AND THE ACTUATOR PC BOARD AREA POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE ACTUATOR TO OVERHEAT AND/OR MELT.

Safety consequence

AN OVERHEATED AND/OR MELTED ACTUATOR MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

DASH HEATER ACTUATOR

NHTSA #10V184000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported May 3, 2010 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 118 vehicles

Owners notified July 6, 2010 · Vehicles built November 20, 2007 – May 8, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 HDX NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING NOVEMBER 20, 2007 THROUGH MAY 8, 2009. THE HEATER COOLANT FLOW VALVE ACTUATOR 0-RING MAY ALLOW COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE HEATER CORE COMPARTMENT AND THE ACTUATOR PC BOARD AREA POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE ACTUATOR TO OVERHEAT AND/OR MELT.

Safety consequence

AN OVERHEATED AND/OR MELTED ACTUATOR MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.

Notes

LED SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM LIGHTS INOPERATIVE

NHTSA #09V394000 · Other — School Bus Stop Arm Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 2, 2009 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 2,922 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-562 · Owners notified February 3, 2010 · Vehicles built March 31, 2008 – February 18, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 31, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 18, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS WOULD BE DECREASED, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN TO INJURY BY PASSING VEHICLES.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LIGHT KITS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-562.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

DUAL POWER SWITCH

NHTSA #08V622000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported November 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 18,198 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-539 · Owners notified July 6, 2009 · Vehicles built February 1, 2002 – October 17, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 18,198 MY 2003-2009 THOMAS BUILT ER, MVP-ER, HDX, AND MVP-EF SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL POWER SWITCH AND MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 2008. SOLID STATE CIRCUIT BREAKERS MAY TRIP UNNECESSARILY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE BUS CHASSIS AND BODY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Safety consequence

UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT BUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOLID STATE DUAL POWER SWITCH WITH A MECHANICAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTION (MEGA FUSE). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCK RECALL NO. FL-539.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10328929

Incident: February 25, 2010 · Filed: May 5, 2010

I RECEIVED A NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 10V177) YESTERDAY REGARDING STOPLAMP FAILURE ON THOMAS C2 BUSES. OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM OF INTERMITTENT STOPLAMP OPERATION ON ONE OF OUR 2009 HDX THOMAS BUSES. A RESISTOR (NOT SHOWN ON THOMAS WIRING DIAGRAMS) WAS PLACED IN THE WIRE FROM THE STOPLAMP SWITCH AND WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10323346

Fire

Incident: October 26, 2009 · Filed: April 1, 2010

1. AFTER DRIVING THE 2009 THOMAS HDX BUS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, DRIVER WAS BRINGING THE BUS TO A STOP, AND BEFORE HE ACTIVATED THE DOORS OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, HE SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HE REPORTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, NOT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH AND NOT FROM THE VENT LOCATED ABOVE THE SWITCH PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE OPERATOR'S SEAT. DRIVER SHUT THE BUS OFF. APPROX. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE OPERATOR'S WINDOW AND THE OPEN FOLDING DOORS. FLAMES WERE OBSERVED BURNING ACROSS THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT OF THE BUS. FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED, ARRIVED IN APPROX. 5-10 MINUTES AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. 2. BUS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. 3. INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE INDETERMINATE AS TO SPECIFIC COMPONENT IN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AREA; HOWEVER THOMAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A RECALL.

Other Thomas Built Buses HDX model years

Check your 2009 Thomas Built Buses HDX VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas Built Buses HDX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Thomas Built Buses VIN