NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 has 4 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 2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2, describing incidents dated August 2, 2011.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10423400 · Filed August 29, 2011
UNDERBODY CNG FUEL CYLINDER(S) WERE DISCOVERED TO HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WITH INSUFFICIENT OVERHEAD CLEARANCE. THE FORWARD MOST CYLINDER (1 OF 5) WAS MOUNTED WITH AN INTERFERENCE FIT AGAINST SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. CYLINDER WRAPPING WAS DAMAGED. OTHER CYLINDERS ON THIS AND SIMILAR THOMAS…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 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 PE07-054: EMERGENCY DOOR HANDLE FAILURE
Closed March 4, 2008
- Recall 08V-087

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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.

FMVSS 403/BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS/THRESHOLD WARNING

NHTSA #08V088000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 760 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-524 · Owners notified August 8, 2008 · Vehicles built July 6, 2005 – July 19, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 760 MY 2003-2007 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 6, 2005 AND JULY 19, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, MODELS NL, NCL, OR NVL. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEMS OF THE SUBJECT MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-524.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.

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.

SR-7 SPRING BRAKE VALVE ASSEMBLY/BENDIX/PARKER

NHTSA #07V302000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice

Reported July 16, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 75,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-504 · Owners notified January 11, 2008 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – July 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Safety consequence

THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-504.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 2003 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 2003 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10423400

Incident: August 2, 2011 · Filed: August 29, 2011

UNDERBODY CNG FUEL CYLINDER(S) WERE DISCOVERED TO HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WITH INSUFFICIENT OVERHEAD CLEARANCE. THE FORWARD MOST CYLINDER (1 OF 5) WAS MOUNTED WITH AN INTERFERENCE FIT AGAINST SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. CYLINDER WRAPPING WAS DAMAGED. OTHER CYLINDERS ON THIS AND SIMILAR THOMAS TRANSIT SCHOOL BUSES HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH WELL UNDER THE .5 INCH CLEARANCE RECOMMENDED BY DOT, CHP, AND THE NGV INDUSTRY. THE BUS MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO ADDRESS THE OEM DESIGN DEFECT, SUBSEQUENT CYLINDER DAMAGE, AND IMMINENT SAFETY CONCERN, ON THIS SCHOOL BUS DUE TO ITS BEING OUT OF STANDARD WARRANTY. LATER MODEL YEAR THOMAS CNG TRANSIT BUSES USE SIMILAR METHODS OF CYLINDER MOUNTING.

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

Check your 2003 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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