Daimler Trucks Recalls 2005-2009 Thomas Built School Buses for Brake Leak Risk
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 700 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses from 2005-2009 because fuel lines may rub against brake lines, causing fluid leaks and reduced braking performance.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (brake line damage) that reduces braking performance and increases the risk of a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling approximately 700 model year 2005 through 2009 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses. These vehicles were manufactured between March 9, 2004, and January 2, 2008, and are equipped with Caterpillar C7 engines, hydraulic brakes, and a fuel water separator.
The recall addresses a defect where the fuel line connecting the fuel water separator to the engine may rub against the hydraulic brake lines. This friction can potentially result in a brake fluid leak, which may reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure correct clearance between the fuel and brake lines. Damaged lines will be replaced. Repairs will be made by DTNA authorized service facilities free of charge. The safety recall began on December 27, 2011. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2
- Brand
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- Manufacturer
- DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 700
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- SAF-T-LINER C2
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- High2027 Thomas Built Buses Recall for Headlight Software Error
NHTSA · 2026-10-01
- Severe
- Severe
- Severe
- HighThomas Built School Bus Recall for Door Switch Failure
NHTSA · 2026-06-26
Same manufacturer · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
See all →- SevereDaimler Recalls Thomas Built Buses Due to Intake Manifold Sensor Defect
NHTSA · 2014-02-21
- SevereDaimler Trucks Recalls 2008-2015 Vehicles Due to Intake Manifold Defect
NHTSA · 2014-02-21
- Severe
- Severe
- HighThomas Built Buses Recalls 2014-2015 Saf-T-Liner EFX School Buses
NHTSA · 2013-12-20
Same hazard · brake failure
See all →- Severe
- Severe
- SevereNova Bus Recalls 2024-2025 LFS Transit Buses for Parking Brake Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-22
- Severe
- SeverePeterbilt Recalls 2027 548 Trucks Due to Brake Valve Size Issues
NHTSA · 2026-09-01
Similar recalls
- HighThomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 School Bus Fuel Leak Recall
NHTSA · 2016-09-13
- SevereDaimler Recalls 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses
NHTSA · 2014-09-23
- Severe
- HighDaimler Trucks Recalls Thomas Built Buses for Stop Lamp Defect
NHTSA · 2010-04-30
- Severe
- Severe