Thomas Built Buses Recalling 2020-2022 Models for Alternator Fire Risk
Daimler Trucks is recalling 1,434 Thomas Built school buses because a loose alternator cable connection may cause electrical arcing and increase the risk of a fire.
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 (loose alternator connection) that explicitly increases the risk of a fire, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Thomas Built EFX and HDX school buses. The recall involves 1,434 vehicles where the nut for the power cable stud on the alternator may not have been tightened properly, resulting in a loose cable connection.
A loose power cable connection may cause electrical arcing, which can increase the risk of a fire. No specific reports of fires or injuries are mentioned in the source text.
Dealers will inspect the alternator power cable connection and tighten it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 17, 2021. 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 HDX, SAF-T-LINER EFX
- Brand
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES
- Manufacturer
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 1,434
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 (2)
- SAF-T-LINER HDX
- SAF-T-LINER EFX
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 Buses Recalls SAF-T-LINER HDX2 Due to Door Malfunction
NHTSA · 2026-06-26
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 · fire
See all →- SevereForest River Recalls 2026-2027 Cedar Creek Trailers for Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-16
- SevereAlliance RV Recalls Valor and Delta Trailers Due to Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-16
- Severe3M Recalls Scotch Thermal Laminators Due to Fire Hazard
CPSC · 2026-10-15
- SevereToyota Recalls Land Cruiser Hybrid Vehicles for Fuel Leak Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-14
- SevereIntellijoint Navigation Systems Recalled for Potential Fire Risk
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
Similar recalls
- HighThomas Built Buses Recalls HDX School Buses for Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2022-04-22
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recalling HDX Models for Battery Cable Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2022-04-22
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recall 2019-2020 Models for Brake Caliper Bolt Issue
NHTSA · 2020-03-03
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recalls Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses for Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2021-08-25
- SevereThomas Built Buses Recalls School Buses for Loose Steering Bolts
NHTSA · 2018-12-19
- High