Vehicle recall 15V432000 · July 7, 2015

Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner MVP-EF, Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX and 8 more models

In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.

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

Summary: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 school buses manufactured from February 5, 2001, through May 29, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
Consequence: If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on August 25, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 15V432000
Reported to NHTSA: July 7, 2015
Filed by: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Manufacturer campaign: FL-685
Owner notification: December 24, 2015
Vehicles potentially affected: 103,038
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Structure › Body › Door

Recall 15V432000 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 SAF-T-Liner Conventional (2001-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 (2005-2013): 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner EFX (2013): 2013
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner ER (2002-2004): 2004, 2003, 2002
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner FS65 (2001-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX (2003-2013): 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner MVP-EF (2002-2013): 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner MVP-ER (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
Thomas Built Buses TL-960 (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
Thomas Built Buses Vista (2002): 2002

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.