Thomas Built Buses Recalls Saf-T-Liner EFX School Buses for Brake Defect
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses because an incorrectly plumbed check valve may cause sudden parking brake activation and increase crash risk.
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 in the braking system that can cause sudden parking brake activation and increase the risk of a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The recall involves 109 vehicles where the check valve for the air brake system may not be plumbed correctly. This defect can prevent the primary air system from being isolated from the secondary air system.
If a rapid loss of air pressure occurs in the secondary system, the incorrectly plumbed check valve can cause rapid air loss in both the secondary and primary systems. This causes the parking brakes to activate suddenly, which increases the risk of a crash.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the check valve as needed, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service 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 EFX
- Brand
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- Manufacturer
- Daimler Trucks North America LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 109
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 EFX
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- HighThomas Built Buses Recalls 2027 Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses
NHTSA · 2026-10-21
- High2027 Thomas Built Buses Recall for Headlight Software Error
NHTSA · 2026-10-01
- Severe
- Severe
- Severe
Same manufacturer · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
See all →- SevereFreightliner and FCCC Trucks Recalled for Fuel Hose Separation Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-07
- SevereFreightliner Recalls Business Class M2 Trucks for Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-01
- Severe
Same hazard · brake failure
See all →- SevereFord Recalls ABS Modules With Incorrect Software Programming
NHTSA · 2026-10-20
- Severe
- Severe
- SevereNova Bus Recalls 2024-2025 LFS Transit Buses for Parking Brake Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-22
- SeverePeterbilt Recalls 2027 548 Trucks Due to Brake Valve Size Issues
NHTSA · 2026-09-01
Similar recalls
- Severe2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX Air Brake Recall
NHTSA · 2018-06-15
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recalling School Buses for Brake Bolt Issue
NHTSA · 2018-05-29
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recalls 2018-2019 Models Due to Brake Caliper Bolts
NHTSA · 2018-10-05
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recall School Buses Due to Seat Bracket Crack Risk
NHTSA · 2018-03-26
- High
- HighThomas Built Buses Recalls 2014-2015 Saf-T-Liner EFX School Buses
NHTSA · 2013-12-20