Recall 10V321 affects 2,342 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for a steering-column weld defect. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 2,342 2010 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because a weld in the TRW IGEN3 intermediate steering column can be out of position. The weakened steering column can separate, cause loss of steering control, and lead to a crash without warning; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The intermediate steering column on the 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is the shaft assembly between the steering wheel and the steering gear. On buses equipped with the TRW IGEN3 column, this section carries the driver's turning input from the wheel down through the steering system. The welded joint in that shaft has to hold the spline tube and intermediate tube together under normal steering loads.
On affected buses, the weld around the IGEN3 steering shaft tube was placed in the wrong location. It does not fully cover the joint where the tubes were pressed together. That leaves the connection weaker than designed, because the weld is not centered over the area it is meant to secure.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not expect a noise, warning light, or change in steering feel before the welded joint gives way.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | steering column |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,342 |
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?
Mislocated steering column welds leave the column with less torsional and axial strength than required. That defect can let the steering column separate, causing loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash without warning. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to confirm repair instructions for recall number 10V321.
- Contact your nearest franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask about the free steering-column repair that fixes the mislocated welds tied to loss of steering control.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 10V321 when you call.
- Avoid driving the bus until the steering-column repair is complete, especially if steering feels loose or abnormal.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician handles the recall repair for the TRW IGEN3 intermediate steering column. The filing does not give a more specific repair step beyond saying the affected buses will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on December 23, 2010, so owners with an unrepaired bus should ask a Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm whether campaign 10V321 is still open for that VIN and complete the covered repair once available through the dealer system.
Timeline
| July 13, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 23, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V321?
Recall 10V321 covers 2,342 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with TRW IGEN3 intermediate steering columns. The steering shaft tube weld was misplaced, which can allow steering column separation and loss of steering control. The recall repair is free.
What should I do if my 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V321. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the steering column repair. Reference recall number 10V321 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that affected buses will be repaired free of charge. A franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer handles the steering column repair.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V321?
The risk is loss of steering control without warning. NHTSA campaign 10V321 says misplaced welds can reduce steering column strength, allow steering column separation, and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before returning the bus to regular service.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure listed for recall 10V321. The filing describes possible steering column separation and loss of steering control without warning. That makes the VIN check and dealer repair the practical path, especially for a school bus used to carry passengers.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V321000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V321 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V321000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →