Thomas Built Buses Recalling Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses for Torque Converter Defect
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses because loose torque converter fasteners may disable the vehicle, increasing injury risk during evacuation.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (loose fasteners) that could disable the bus and increase the risk of injury during evacuation, but the source text does not report any actual injuries or deaths.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with Detroit DD8 Engines and Allison Transmissions. The recall addresses a defect where the Flex-Plate/Torque Converter fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened.
The loose bolts can become lodged in the starter, disabling the bus. This failure could result in an evacuation in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of an injury. The source text does not report any specific incidents of injury or death.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 13, 2019, and the recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-839. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER HDX
- Brand
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- Manufacturer
- Daimler Trucks North America LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Affected units
- 30
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 HDX
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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