NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint 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 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2, describing incidents dated March 1, 2006.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10245368 · Filed October 14, 2008
A BUS DRIVER CALLS IN A PROBLEM TO THE DISPATCHER THAT THE BUS CUT OFF WHILE DURING THE ROUTE. IN AUGUST OF 2001 DPS PURCHASED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (125) THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINERS WITH CATERPILLAR 3126 B ENGINES. IN 2006 PRIOR TO THE ENGINE WARRANTY EXPIRING WE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE IDLE GEAR…

Read the full complaint

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #18V083000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 606 vehicles

Repair completion: 1.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-759 · Owners notified April 11, 2018 · Vehicles built April 15, 2002 – December 11, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Safety consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

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.

EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE

NHTSA #08V087000 · Structure — Body — Door — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 243,435 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-525 · Owners notified August 18, 2008 · Vehicles built January 1, 1994 – March 10, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-525.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 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10245368

Incident: March 1, 2006 · Filed: October 14, 2008

A BUS DRIVER CALLS IN A PROBLEM TO THE DISPATCHER THAT THE BUS CUT OFF WHILE DURING THE ROUTE. IN AUGUST OF 2001 DPS PURCHASED ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (125) THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINERS WITH CATERPILLAR 3126 B ENGINES. IN 2006 PRIOR TO THE ENGINE WARRANTY EXPIRING WE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE IDLE GEAR FAILURES AND APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TWO (22) WERE REPLACED AND COVER UNDER WARRANTY BY CATERPILLAR. HOWEVER, SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE LOST AN ADDITIONAL TWENTY SEVEN (27) OUT OF SERVICE THAT IS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS STILL GOING UP, AND THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. *TR

Other Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 model years

Check your 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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