Vehicle recall 08V087000 · February 26, 2008

Thomas Built Buses FS-65, Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 and 7 more models

(additional buses have been added to this recall campaign.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Daimler trucks is recalling 243,435 my 1995-2008 thomas built school buses manufactured between January 1994, and March 10, 2008. (additional buses have been added to this recall campaign. Please see supplemental report no. 4) the emergency exit door handle begins corroding around the securing roll pin and square drive mechanism causing the protective finish to chip and flake. Continued corrosion and pitting weakens the handle. Handles weakened by corrosion may break while trying to open the door from the exterior.
Consequence: In the event of an emergency, a person on the outside of the bus may break the door handle trying to open the emergency exit potentially delaying evacuation and increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle's occupants.
Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and will replace the handles with a more robust handle free of charge. Repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships. The recall began on August 18, 2008, and notification for the revised population is expected to begin on or about April 29, 2009. Owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.
Notes: Daimler trucks recall no. Fl-525.CUSTOMERS may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 08V087000
Reported to NHTSA: February 26, 2008
Filed by: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Manufacturer campaign: FL-525
Owner notification: August 18, 2008
Vehicles potentially affected: 243,435
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments

Recall 08V087000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Thomas ER (2001-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Thomas ER Transit (1995-2000): 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Thomas MVP EF (1995-1999, 2001-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Thomas MVP ER (1996-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
Thomas Built Buses FS-65 (1995-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Thomas Built Buses HDX (2001-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Thomas Built Buses HDX EF (1995-2000): 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Thomas Built Buses Minotour (2001-2003, 2008): 2008, 2003, 2002, 2001
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 (1995-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995

Has your Thomas been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Thomas dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.