NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

NHTSA #22V762000

Reported October 12, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 17,613 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2011-2023 Thomas Built EFX and HDX school buses. The exterior roof panel was manufactured with 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."

Safety consequence

A school bus exterior roof panel with insufficient joint strength may separate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will add additional mechanical fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL957.

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.nhtsa.gov.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

NHTSA #15V564000

Reported September 4, 2015 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 52 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour DRW transit buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Safety consequence

If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.

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.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

NHTSA #15V565000

Reported September 4, 2015 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 4,334 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Safety consequence

If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began onNovember 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.

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.

SEATS

NHTSA #13V537000

Reported October 30, 2013 · Daimler Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 328 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses manufactured October 17, 2011, through July 2, 2013. A U-bolt intended to reinforce certain seat installations to the chassis may have been left out of the assembly process.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, the seats may not stay mounted to the chassis, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners and dealers will install the U-bolts as required, free of charge. The recall began on December 13, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-5219. DTNA's recall number is FL-650.

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.

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

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