Recall 10V177 affects 6,548 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses for intermittent stop lamps. Free repair at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses recalled 6,548 2005-2011 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because the stop lamps can work intermittently during light brake applications. When the brake lights do not show that the service brakes are applied, following drivers lose that warning and crash risk increases; the Thomas Built Buses dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The stop-lamp switch on a 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus is part of the brake-light circuit. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the switch sends power to the rear stop lamps so traffic behind the bus sees that the bus is slowing or stopping. Those lamps matter during low-speed traffic, pickup zones, and repeated stops.
On affected buses, the stop lamps do not always come on during light brake applications. The brake pedal can be pressed lightly enough to slow the bus, while the switch signal to the rear lamps is not steady. That leaves following drivers without a consistent brake-light warning during part of the stop.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver cannot see the rear stop lamps from the seat, so the problem is easiest to catch during an inspection or when someone outside the bus reports it.
Who's affected?
Spans seven model years, all tied to the same brake-light switch.
| 2006 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
|---|---|
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| 2005 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| 2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Switch |
| Units affected | 6,548 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the stop lamps fail to show that the service brakes are applied, drivers behind the bus get no clear brake signal. That raises the risk of a crash without warning. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask about the free stop-lamp switch repair that fixes intermittent brake lights during light brake applications.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 10V177 when you call.
- Avoid passenger service until the repair is complete if the brake lights do not come on consistently during light braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician handles the stop-lamp recall repair for campaign 10V177. The remedy text does not name a specific part replacement; it says Thomas Built Buses dealerships perform the repair free of charge and that the safety recall began on May 27, 2011. Contact Thomas Built Buses at 1-800-547-0712 or call your dealer with the VIN so the service desk can confirm the campaign and repair instructions.
Timeline
| April 30, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 27, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V177?
Recall 10V177 covers 6,548 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with stop lamps that can work intermittently during light brake applications. Recall 10V177 says the stop lamps can fail to show that the service brakes are applied, increasing crash risk without warning.
What should I do if my 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 10V177. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and reference recall 10V177 when you ask for the stop-lamp repair. The recall repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The remedy for recall 10V177 says repairs are performed by dealer locations free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost, and owners can contact Thomas Built Buses customer support at 1-800-547-0712.
What is the safety risk with recall 10V177?
The safety risk is that following drivers do not get a clear brake-light signal during light braking. Recall 10V177 says the stop lamps can fail to show that the service brakes are applied, increasing crash risk without warning.
When did the recall repair begin?
The safety recall began on May 27, 2011. For an included 2005-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the stop-lamp recall repair under recall 10V177.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V177000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V177 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V177000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →