The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·21V850000·Announced 2021-11-02

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

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. 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.

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Same manufacturer · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

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Same hazard · fire

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