How many recalls does the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX have?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX as of October 16, 2026. Each includes the defect description, safety consequence, and the remedy Thomas Built Buses will perform. New recalls can be issued at any time; this page is refreshed from NHTSA daily.

How do I tell if my 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX is affected by a recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN — stamped at the base of the windshield on the driver side and on the door jamb sticker — at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall; the list on this page covers every campaign for the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX.

Are recall repairs on a 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX free?

Usually. Federal law requires Thomas Built Buses to remedy recalls on the 2018 SAF-T-Liner EFX free of charge at an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer, regardless of how many owners the vehicle has had or how many miles are on the odometer — unless it was first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires).

Does a recall on the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX affect resale value?

An open recall can reduce resale value; a recall that has been repaired (documented in the vehicle history report) generally does not. Before you buy or sell a used 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm every recall has been remedied.

How many owner complaints are on file for the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX has 14 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 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

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.

SEATS

NHTSA #22V510000

Reported July 19, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,806 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-23 Thomas Built Buses HDX and 2014-22 EFX school buses equipped with 39-inch S3C seat frames and 3-point flex seatbelts. The passenger seat frames may crack and rotate from fatigue.

Safety consequence

Cracked passenger seat frames may not adequately secure passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will secure the seat frames with brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail December 4, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL946.

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.

SEATS

NHTSA #19V712000

Reported October 4, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 53,528 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner EFX, Minotour, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with SynTec S3B or S3C seats. The seats may have been manufactured with styrene blocks that may not provide sufficient impact absorption in certain specific areas around the steel seat frame of the back support. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

The lack of impact absorption increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install additional impact material between the re-bond back and the vinyl back cover to increase the amount of absorption, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on November 29, 2019. The recall began June 22, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-832.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

NHTSA #19V444000

Reported June 11, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 11,546 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2010-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, 2016-2019 HDX, and 2017-2019 EFX school buses equipped with Bendix Air Disc Brakes. The driver side rear brakes may drag.

Safety consequence

The dragging brakes may lead to high temperatures at the wheel end, increasing the risk of smoke and fire, possibly resulting in the bus having to be evacuated, which can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-818.

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

NHTSA #18V914000

Reported December 19, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 73 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX, C2, and EFX School Buses, equipped with Detroit Axle axles. The affected vehicles may have loose steering tie rod arm bolts.

Safety consequence

Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, affecting vehicle steering, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering arm and tie rod arm bolts for to make sure that they are properly tightened, installing new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2019. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-802.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

NHTSA #18V702000

Reported October 5, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 1,532 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thomas Built school buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX and Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Safety consequence

Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will check and tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-794.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

NHTSA #18V410000

Reported June 15, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 5 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX transit buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.

Safety consequence

In the event of a rapid loss of air pressure in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both secondary and primary system, causing the parking brakes to activate suddenly. This will increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-774.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

NHTSA #18V409000

Reported June 15, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 109 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly which can cause the primary air system to not be isolated from the secondary air system.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

NHTSA #18V352000

Reported May 29, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 2,767 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.

Safety consequence

If the brake caliper mounting bolts come loose, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on July 25, 2018. The recall began September 4, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-772.

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 #18V254000

Reported April 19, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 24 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 15, 20 18. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.

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 #18V253000

Reported April 19, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 23,102 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses equipped with S3B Restraint Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, causing the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. Daimler issued owners an interim notification on June 12, 2018. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-769.

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 #18V193000

Reported March 26, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 6 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour transit buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 10, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.

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 #18V192000

Reported March 26, 2018 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 6,606 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour school buses, equipped with certain Syntec-brand S3B, Non-Restraint, Wall Mounted Seats. The wall mounting bracket may crack, which may cause the seat to not remain secured in place in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the wall, the occupant has an increased risk of an injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wall mounting bracket, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 9, 2018. The recall began May 10, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-763.

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 #17V313000

Reported May 11, 2017 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 1,132 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The occupant seats may have been installed without under-rail washers, reducing their anchorage strength.

Safety consequence

Without under-rail washers, in the event of a crash, the seats may come loose, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seats and replace the mounting hardware, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 28, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA Customer Service 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for the recall is FL-737.

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

Check your 2018 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX 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 EFX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Thomas Built Buses VIN