How many recalls does the 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX have?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX 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 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX 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 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX.

Are recall repairs on a 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX free?

Usually. Federal law requires Thomas Built Buses to remedy recalls on the 2021 SAF-T-Liner HDX 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 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX 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 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm every recall has been remedied.

How many owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX has 16 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 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

NHTSA #24V555000

Reported July 24, 2024 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 27,494 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2019-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Minotour DRW, 2020-2022 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, and Minotour SRW school buses. The Emergency Exit Label lettering is too small and may be difficult to read. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Safety consequence

Emergency exit labels that are difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will correct the lettering, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL918.

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.

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.

STRUCTURE:BODY

NHTSA #22V688000

Reported September 14, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,259 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The rear exterior side-body 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 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 November 11, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL953.

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:BARRIERS

NHTSA #22V634000

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

Potentially affected: 7,561 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2011-2021 Thomas Built Saf-T Liner HDX school buses. The forward seat barriers may not provide sufficient protection to passengers. 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

Occupants may collide with the front seat barriers with more force than intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will install a spacer between the seat rail and the seat barrier, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 25, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL843. This recall replaces NHTSA recall 19V899.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NHTSA #22V272000

Reported April 22, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 138 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Thomas Built Bus HDX commercial buses. The positive battery cable may be routed improperly, allowing it to chafe against the transmission oil cooler hoses, which can cause an electrical short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL929.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NHTSA #22V271000

Reported April 22, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,943 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Thomas Built Bus HDX school buses. The positive battery cable may be routed improperly, allowing it to chafe against the transmission oil cooler hoses, which can cause an electrical short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

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.nhtsa.gov.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

NHTSA #21V915000

Reported November 22, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling one 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX transit bus. The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) may be improperly stated on the label. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."

Safety consequence

The operator may overload the vehicle while referencing the incorrect label, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

A dealer will apply a new label, free of charge. The owner notification letter is expected to be mailed January 16, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL911.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

NHTSA #21V850000

Reported November 2, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,434 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Thomas Built EFX and HDX school buses. The nut for the power cable stud on the alternator may not have been tightened properly, which can cause a loose cable connection.

Safety consequence

A loose power cable connection may cause electrical arcing, which can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the alternator power cable connection and tighten it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL904.

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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

NHTSA #21V660000

Reported August 25, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 114 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses equipped with an ISL or L9 engine. The power steering hose may be routed with inadequate clearance between the hose and the power cables, potentially damaging the power steering hose.

Safety consequence

A damaged power steering hose can leak, and increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will inspect the power steering hose routing and modify it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL898.

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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

NHTSA #21V659000

Reported August 25, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,934 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with an ISL or L9 engine. The power steering hose may be routed with inadequate clearance between the hose and the power cables.

Safety consequence

A worn power steering hose increases the risk of a fire.

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.nhtsa.gov.

SEATS

NHTSA #21V462000

Reported June 17, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 9 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses. These school buses may have been manufactured with an incorrect passenger seat configuration that does not provide the proper amount of seat back protection. As such, these school buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, the seats may not adequately protect the occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the rear passenger seats, free of charge. No owner notification will be distributed, all units were repaired on August 12, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-892.

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.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #21V370000

Reported May 19, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 479 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses and Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses. The tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.

Safety consequence

Detached or broken tie rod ends can result in steering loss, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-888.

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

NHTSA #21V327000

Reported May 7, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,262 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DNTA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel lines, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-886.

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.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #21V255000

Reported April 12, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,252 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The steering arm and tie rod bolts may have a defective seam that can fracture.

Safety consequence

A fractured bolt may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod arm bolts and steering arm, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-884.

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 #21V017000

Reported January 20, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 6 vehicles

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX and EFX school buses. On certain vehicles, one of the six brake caliper mounting bolts on the driver side steer axle may have been incorrectly tightened.

Safety consequence

The loose bolt could result in the other caliper bolts to loosen. Insufficiently tightened bolts may not provide adequate clamping force between the brake caliper and brake anchor plate, resulting in reduced brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-873.

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 HDX model years

Check your 2021 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX 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 HDX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Thomas Built Buses VIN