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NHTSA recall,

Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX2 and Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX2 (2027)

The connector plates for the driver's seat belt anchor and an interior body joint seam may be missing, causing insufficient structural reinforcement.

Summary by Recall Canary from the NHTSA notice

What happened

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2027 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER HDX2 and Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER EFX2 school buses. The connector plates for the driver's seat belt anchor and an interior body joint seam may be missing, resulting in insufficient structural reinforcements. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages," and 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

The recall was reported to NHTSA on August 24, 2026, and affects 65 vehicles nationwide. Dealers will inspect and replace the header connectors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 23, 2026.

More seat belt defect recalls

What to do

If you own a vehicle in this recall:

  1. Check your VIN (vehicle identification number) at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  2. Dealers will inspect and replace the header connectors, as necessary, free of charge.
  3. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 23, 2026. You may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1038.
  4. Watch your mail. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 23, 2026.

What you get Free repair

Full text from NHTSA

Dealers will inspect and replace the header connectors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 23, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1038.

Is your Thomas Built Buses affected?

2 models

These models and years may be affected.

Model years
2027

Thomas Built Buses

  • SAF-T-Liner EFX2
  • SAF-T-Liner HDX2

Your VIN confirms it. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver's side of the dashboard or on your registration card.

Check your VIN on nhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recall details

Reported to NHTSA
Sold in
Nationwide
Manufacturer
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC
Component
Seat belt defect
Campaign
26V546000
Vehicles affected
65
Repair cost
Free of charge
Owner letters expected
Manufacturer's recall number
F1038
Manufacturer phone
1-800-574-0712

All recalls from Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Timeline

  1. Reported to NHTSA

  2. Listed on Recall Canary

  3. Summary updated

Other seat belt defect recalls

See all: Other seat belt defect recalls

Summary by Recall Canary, written with AI · summary updated Oct 2, 2026 · primary source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (opens in a new tab)