The Used Car Index

2013 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 problems

NHTSA lists 1 complaints for the 2013 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2.

At a glance

Complaints
1
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
18
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
103,038
Investigations
2
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
200

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
STRUCTURE1100.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREEMERGENCY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
unclear1100.0%0.99
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
none1100.0%0.77

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1 tagged complaints of 1 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

18 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 18.

19V444000

Date: 2019-06-11. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: 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.

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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V083000

Date: 2018-01-30. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Add (excerpt)

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V665000

Date: 2017-10-19. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. The affected vehicles are propane-powered and have propane fuel lines that may contact the transmission yoke, possibly causing a propane leak.

Consequence: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the propane line routing, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 14, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-752.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V454000

Date: 2017-07-17. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses. In the event of a crash, the wheelchair pocket track anchorage may not adequately secure a the wheelchair.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track to reinforce the anchorage, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on September 13, 2017. The recall began on December 20, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-743.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V453000

Date: 2017-07-17. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. In the event of a crash, the wheelchair pocket track anchorage may not adequately secure a the wheelchair.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an unsecured wheelchair may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track to reinforce the anchorage, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on September 13, 2017. The recall began on December 20, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-743.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V395000

Date: 2016-06-02. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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 em (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V565000

Date: 2015-09-04. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V432000

Date: 2015-07-07. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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, th (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V425000

Date: 2015-07-06. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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 st (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V633000

Date: 2013-12-16. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured December 3, 2009, through February 8, 2012, and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Consequence: The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners and dealers will update the hybrid transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-657.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 0 open.

PE19007

Opened: 2019-06-18. Closed: 2023-10-17.

Rear Leaf Spring Fractures

On June 18, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-007 to investigate instances of leaf-style suspension springs fracturing in various model 2008-2018 Thomas Built Buses (TBB) school buses, which could lead to a road hazard if a piece of the leaf spring detaches from the vehicle while driving. This investigation was prompted by ODIa s review of field reports in Daimler Truck

Systems: SUSPENSION.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE13006

Opened: 2013-03-18. Closed: 2013-08-26.

Blocked Fuel Delivery Resulting in Stall

ODI was made aware of multiple allegations of engine stall resulting from a loose barcode sticker in the fuel tank of certain model year (MY) 2012 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner transit style buses manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (TBB).The loose barcode sticker from a diesel powered cab heater (installed in some cold weather state buses) may become lodged in the fuel delivery pickup tube and re

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

Linked campaign numbers: 13V364000, 13V365000.

Manufacturer communications

200 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT105
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18
STRUCTURE13
ENGINE11
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER7

10207477

Date: 2022-01-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Revised Thomas Built Buses Service Bulletin for Vehicle Starts in Pretrip Mode With Vandalock Active. Minor note: added an update of document previously submitted. The related VMRS codes are added

10190551

Date: 2021-04-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021.

10184787

Date: 2020-12-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Thomas Built Buses Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and

10184029

Date: 2020-12-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN, STEERING.

Revised Warranty Policy Letter for Alliance/Mascot Aftermarket Warranty and Claim Filing. Revisions are in blue. With Mascot now in partnership with Detroit Reman and Alliance Parts, DTNA is pleased to announce that Mascot coverage has been added to OWL. Remanufactured Alliance/Mascot parts include

10183988

Date: 2020-12-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, POWER TRAIN, STEERING.

Warranty Policy Letter for Alliance/Mascot Aftermarket Warranty and Claim Filing. With Mascot now in partnership with Detroit Reman and Alliance Parts, DTNA is pleased to announce that Mascot coverage has been added to OWL. Remanufactured Alliance/Mascot parts include transmission, differential, ste

10193744

Date: 2020-11-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on RH 3 POS Switch for Electric Operated Entrance Door

10181760

Date: 2020-10-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Bus Service Bulletin for When troubleshooting powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeterA A A A? is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle powernet issues.

10193743

Date: 2020-10-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Lettering Changes - Notification

10193742

Date: 2020-10-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Axial Mounted Air Disc Brake Caliper for Saf-T-Liner C2

10182008

Date: 2020-10-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Tech Talk discussion on diagnosing a pre trip light check not working.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SAF-T-LINER C21

Same model, other years

All model years | All Thomas Built Buses models

Other Thomas Built Buses models, 2013

Sources

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