The Used Car Index

2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX problems

NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2004 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX, 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 HDX.

At a glance

Complaints
2
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
103,038
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
86

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
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR2100.0%
WHEELS2100.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

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

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

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.

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.

09V011000

Date: 2009-01-13. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,426 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MY 2003 THROUGH 2006 SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL AND NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2005. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (VIM) LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS NEAR THE FRONT AXLE AND OUTSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COVER MAY BECOME CORRODED DUE TO WATER AND ROAD SPRAY INTRUSION. VIM CORROSI (excerpt)

Consequence: UNEXPECTED STARTER ENGAGEMENT OR INTERMITTENT BACKUP LIGHT OPERATION MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY. (excerpt)

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V302000

Date: 2007-07-16. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR (excerpt)

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH. (excerpt)

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE11029

Opened: 2011-09-02. Closed: 2012-02-17.

Thomas Built CNG Tank Abrasion

On August 29, 2011 ODI received a Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) from a Los Angeles school district indicating a 2003 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX compressed natural gas (CNG) school bus in their fleet had insufficient clearance between the CNG tank and mounting bracket resulting in damage to the outer tank wrapping.The Mathematical Analysis Division of NHTSA calculated that a sample size of

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

86 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT49
ENGINE7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
STRUCTURE6
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER5
SEATS3

10193743

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

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Lettering Changes - Notification

10193738

Date: 2020-07-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Heater Hose Changes

10193736

Date: 2020-07-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on National DriverA?A A s Seat Update

10193733

Date: 2020-03-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Defender Composite Stop Arm Changes

10193728

Date: 2020-03-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on PV360 NS Camera A?A A Type D

10193726

Date: 2020-03-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Buy America Cummins B6.7 Engine

10193723

Date: 2020-03-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Roof Top Lettering (Addendum)

10193722

Date: 2020-02-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on 12V Outlets Update

10193716

Date: 2020-01-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Power Outlet

10193702

Date: 2019-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Data Book Update

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 HDX2

Same model, other years

All model years | All Thomas Built Buses models

Other Thomas Built Buses models, 2004

Sources

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