2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
No owner complaints are on file for the 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 yet. There are 20 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 20
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- — at time of problem
Key facts
- The 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 has 20 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 recalls (20)
- SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC
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.
Risk: 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.
- EQUIPMENT
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. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
- EQUIPMENT
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.
Risk: 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.
- EQUIPMENT
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.
Risk: 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.
- EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
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 arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Risk: 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.
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.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built non-school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.
Risk: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.
Remedy: Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 4, 2013. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2013 thomas built saf-t-liner ef, saf-t-liner hdx, saf-t-liner c2, and minotour non school buses manufactured from april 5, 2011, through april 23, 2012, equipped with specialty manufacturing inc. (smi) prolo roof hatches. Increased friction between the rear plate assemblies, p/no. 009327, and the nylon rear pop-up support, p/no. 008956, may result in an opening force of the prolo roof hatches that exceeds federal standard requirements. Thus, these hatches fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."
Risk: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Thomas built buses will notify owners. Smi will provide service kits along with repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2012. Owners may contact thomas built buses at 1-336-889-4871 or smi at 1-800-951-7867.
- EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 saf-t-liner ef, minotour, saf-t-liner c2, and saf-t-liner hdx school buses equipped with braun century-2 and vista-2 wheelchair lifts. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.
Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairs occupant could fall and sustain injury.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners, and the repairs will be performed by authorized braun dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on june 28, 2012. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
- EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 saf-t-liner ef, minotour, saf-t-liner c2, saf-t-liner hdx transit buses equipped with braun century-2 and vista-2 wheelchair lifts. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.
Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairs occupant could fall and sustain injury.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners, and the repairs will be performed by authorized braun dealers, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 28, 2012. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Daimler trucks north america is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 fccc b2 106 ch and thomas built saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured from february 16, 2010, through july 7, 2010, equipped with specific mbe900 epa04 and epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.
Risk: A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall began on july 29, 2011. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712. This recall is associated with a previous recall, campaign number 10v-340.
- EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 saf-t-liner c2, saf-t-liner hdx, mvp-ef, fs-65, and minotor school buses manufactured from january 2, 2006, through january 31, 2011, equipped with carrier genv em-1 evaporator units. Due to time, temperature, and/or vibration, the fuse may loosen in the fuse holder resulting in high resistance and arcing.
Risk: If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and a vehicle fire may occur.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners and provide information on how to obtain the retrofit kit from carrier along with repair instructions. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on may 20, 2011. (see carrier's recall campaign 11e-003.) owners may contact carrier at 1-800-793-4741 or dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
- SEATS
Daimler trucks is recalling certain thomas built mvp-ef, hdx, and saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured from march 17, 2009, through december 7, 2009, equipped with stabilus bloc-o-lift, p/n 5561ed, driver seats. The weld which holds the mounting tab to the shock body was improperly welded and can break.
Risk: The seat could drop unexpectedly without prior warning and could cause momentary loss of steering control, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and repairs will be performed by authorized thomas built buses service facilities free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 saf-t-liner c2 and saf-t-liner hdx school buses manufactured from october 5, 2006 through may 24, 2010, equipped with epa 2007 mbe 900 detroit diesel engines. Engine software may not react properly to certain aftermarket treatment device fault codes. The software may unnecessarily shutdown a vehicle or may fail to shutdown a vehicle with an aftermarket device over-temp fault.
Risk: Unexpected shutdown of a vehicle may increase the risk of a crash. Overheating of the aftertreatment device without engine shutdown may result in a fire.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and repairs will be performed by detroit diesel free of charge. The safety recall began on december 30, 2010. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 fccc b2 106 ch and thomas built saf-t-liner c2 and hdx school buses manufactured from september 5, 2006 through june 30, 2010, equipped with specific mbe900 epa04 and epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.
Risk: A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 29, 2011. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Dtna is recall certain model year 2001 thomas built saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured from april 16, 2009 through may 10, 2010, and equipped with certain eaton hybird transmissions with park feature. The reverse idler shaft may contact the park feature and the two components may bind, preventing the park feature from engaging.
Risk: If the park feature does not engage, the vehicle can move without warning, possibly resulting in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by eaton corpoation free of charge. The safety recall began during november 2010. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712 or eaton at 1-800-826-4357 or 1-269-342-3242.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Dtna is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2011 thomas built saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured beginning january 19, 2005 through april 16, 2010. The stop lamps may be intermittent during light brake applications.
Risk: The stop lamps may not properly indicate that the service brakes are applied which may lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners and repairs will be performed by dtna dealerships free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2011. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Dtna has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2011 thomas built saf-t-liner c2 school buses manufactured from may 10, 2007, through january 8, 2010. The reed switch used to detect the position of the air operated front entrance door may malfunction causing warning lights and the crossing arm to operate improperly during student loading and unloading.
Risk: Malfunctioning warning lights during the loading and unloading process could put the students at risk of injury.
Remedy: Dtna will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about may 10, 2010. Owners may contact thomas built at 1-336-889-4871.
- SEATS
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2011 saf-t-liner c2, hdx, mvp-ef, and minotour school buses manufactured from october 21, 2009 through january 19, 2010. The buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection." seat cushion hinge tolerance may allow the cushion to slip laterally causing the latch striker to become disengaged from the seat frame. Once the seat cushion becomes unlatched it can be lifted with less force than required by the standard.
Risk: In the event of a crash or sudden maneuver, the seat cushion may unlatch exposing the seat frame to the vehicle's occupants possibly resulting in injury.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, , 2010. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
NHTSA defect investigations
- PE19007Opened Jun 18, 2019Closed Oct 17, 2023
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 ODI’s review of field reports in Daimler Truck North America's (DTNA) Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data, describing cracked rear leaf-style suspension springs in Thomas Built school buses. ODI contacted three municipal school bus fleets with subjec…
Stop Lamps Intermittent
This investigation was opened after ODI was contacted by a fleet alleging that in certain situations, such as a light brake peal application during a low speed operation, the brake lamps fail to illuminate on the rear of the bus.ODI confirmed the problem with two fleets.On April 29, 2010, Daimler filed a defect report concerning this issue. The stop lamps may be intermittent during light brake applications.They are still evaluating the remedial program and will furnish this information to ODI when it is available. This safety recallresolves the issue raised by this investigation. Hence, this i…
Inoperative 8-Way Warning Lamps
This investigation was opened after ODI received a complaint from a school bus fleet stating they had experienced warning lamps failing upon opening the front entrance door. After completing their evaluation, Daimler Trucks North America, the parent company of Freightliner and Thomas Built Buses, decided to conduct a safety recall to replace the reed switch on the front entrance door with a more robust switch. All repairs will be made by Thomas Built Buses dealers and direct warranty customers. The action taken by Daimler and Thomas Built Buses resolves this investigation. Accordingly, this in…
Rear spring trailing arm bolt loose
This investigation was opened after odi was informed by two school bus fleets that they had found loose bolts on the rear suspension trailing arms of the air ride suspension on several of their buses. Odi visited the local dealer and confirmed the loose bolts.if these bolts fail and separate, the rear suspension can shift, allowing the rear end housing to move forward or backward.this could have a detrimental impact on vehicle control.in late november2009, daimlerfiled a safety recall (09v-458) outlining theirremedy program.daimler will inspect and torque all the rear suspension fasteners as n…
Recent 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 complaints
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology