NHTSA vehicle safety data
2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER Recalls & Complaints
The 2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER has 3 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 2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER, describing incidents dated July 1, 2008.
Most-cited components
- Structure 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10235358 · Filed
ANNUAL INSPECTION REVEALED BROKEN ROOF BOWS ON TWO SEPERATE SCHOOL BUSSES. THE THOMAS DEALER HAS AVAILABLE A REPAIR PART AND PROCEDURE, A STIFFENER IS WELDED IN THE BOW AT THE WINDOW HEADER.
Exterior Emergency Door Handle may Detach
NHTSA #16V407000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported June 7, 2016 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 717 vehicles
Repair completion: 8.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-713 · Owners notified December 9, 2016 · Vehicles built January 5, 1999 – February 2, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 1998-2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner ER, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2000-2001 CL-960, 1998-1999 Vista, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, and 2000-2002 TL-960 transit buses. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
Safety consequence
If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Manufacturer remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on July 28, 2016. A second notice was mailed to owners on December 9, 2016 Parts are available. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-713.
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.
Exterior Emergency Door Handle may Detach
NHTSA #16V395000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported June 2, 2016 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 24,698 vehicles
Repair completion: 17.71% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-713 · Owners notified December 9, 2016 · Vehicles built January 5, 1999 – January 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 1998-2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner ER, 2000-2017 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 1998-1999 Vista, 2003 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2013-2017 Saf-T-liner C2, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2013-2017 Saf-T-Liner HDX. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
Safety consequence
If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Manufacturer remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on July 28, 2016. A second notice was mailed to owners on December 16, 2016. Parts are available. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-713.
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.
FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 221/ROOF JOINT
NHTSA #01V104000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice
Reported March 27, 2001 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 145 vehicles
Owners notified September 14, 2001 · Vehicles built October 1, 2000 – February 28, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH COMPOSITE FRONT ROOF CAPS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." THE ROOF CAP DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE OMISSION OF THE ADHESIVE THAT JOINS THE ROOF TO THE BUS BODY.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE MAY CRUSH, NOT PROPERLY PROTECTING THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL RE-BOND THE ROOF CAP TO THE ROOF SHEET METAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER model years
Check your 2000 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER VIN
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