NHTSA vehicle safety data
2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER Recalls & Complaints
The 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER has 5 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 ER. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2002 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER, describing incidents dated December 1, 2002.
Most-cited components
- Seats 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10015522 · Filed
THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SEAT FRAME BENT AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO TWIST 15 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT. *NLM A NEW SEAT UNIT WAS REASSEMBLED AND INSTALLED. *TT
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.
Exterior Emergency Door Handle may Detach
NHTSA #15V432000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported July 7, 2015 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 103,038 vehicles
Repair completion: 40.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-685 · Owners notified December 24, 2015
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 school buses manufactured from February 5, 2001, through May 29, 2012. 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. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on August 25, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
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 #15V425000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported July 6, 2015 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 3,013 vehicles
Repair completion: 14.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-685 · Owners notified December 24, 2015
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 non-school 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 mailed to owners on August 28, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
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/REAR AIR SUSPENSION
NHTSA #02V320000 · Suspension — Rear — Springs — Air Suspension System · NHTSA notice
Reported December 2, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 122 vehicles
Owners notified February 28, 2003 · Vehicles built February 5, 2001 – February 22, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH REYCO REAR AXLE AIR SUSPENSIONS, DEFLATED SUSPENSION AIR BAGS COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE ANGLES CAUSING U-JOINT DAMAGE.
Safety consequence
THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD FALL OFF OF THE BUS. FOLLOWING VEHICLES COULD THEN RUN OVER THIS OBSTACLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AXLE STOPS TO LIMIT REAR SUSPENSION TRAVEL AND FASTENER TORQUE WILL BE CHECKED ON THE SUSPENSION HEIGHT CONTROL ROD. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2003. 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 FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN 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
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