Recall 10V468 affects 2,687 2008-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner school buses for engine software shutdown faults. Detroit Diesel repair is free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 2,687 2008-2011 Saf-T-Liner Hdx and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because engine software can respond incorrectly to aftertreatment device fault codes. An unexpected shutdown increases crash risk, and no shutdown during an aftertreatment over-temperature fault creates fire risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2008-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses use EPA 2007 MBE 900 Detroit Diesel engines. The engine software reads fault codes from the exhaust aftertreatment system, the equipment that manages exhaust temperature and emissions after combustion. Those codes help the engine decide when to protect itself by reducing power or shutting down.
In this recall, the software does not respond correctly to certain aftertreatment device fault codes. It can shut the bus down when shutdown is not needed, leaving the driver with an unexpected loss of engine operation. It can also miss an over-temperature fault and keep the engine running when shutdown is needed to protect the exhaust treatment system.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in how the engine software interprets fault codes, so a driver has no reliable sound, smell, or dashboard behavior to confirm that the shutdown logic is working correctly.
Who's affected?
Covers the Saf-T-Liner Hdx and Saf-T-Liner C2 bus lines across model years 2008 through 2011, with the same engine and engine cooling system.
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 2,687 |
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?
An unexpected shutdown increases crash risk. If the bus loses power, move out of traffic when safe and arrange service before returning it to route duty. Overheating in the aftertreatment device without engine shutdown can result in a fire. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx or Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice mailed after December 30, 2010, or call Thomas Built Buses customer service for current repair instructions.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the free Detroit Diesel engine software repair for the fault-code shutdown issue.
- Reference recall number 10V468 when you call so the service desk can find the correct campaign.
- Avoid operating the bus until a service advisor confirms the engine software repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses service desk coordinates the Detroit Diesel repair for the engine software issue covered by recall 10V468. The repair addresses software that responds to aftermarket treatment device fault codes. The source remedy says Detroit Diesel performs the work free of charge and that the safety recall began on December 30, 2010. The record does not list a separate reimbursement plan, so there is no reimbursement guidance to give here. Ask the dealer to confirm the repair path for your VIN before arranging service.
Timeline
| October 8, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 30, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V468?
Recall 10V468 covers 2,687 2008-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with EPA 2007 MBE 900 Detroit Diesel engines. The engine software can mishandle aftertreatment device fault codes. The free repair is performed through Detroit Diesel.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx or Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 10V468. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses service desk and reference recall 10V468. Ask where to have the Detroit Diesel engine software repair completed free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says Detroit Diesel performs this repair free of charge. Reference recall 10V468 when you contact the Thomas Built Buses service desk.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine behavior that creates crash or fire risk. NHTSA campaign 10V468 says an unexpected vehicle shutdown increases crash risk, and an aftertreatment device over-temperature fault without engine shutdown can result in a fire.
What if I bought this school bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx or Saf-T-Liner C2 is included, then reference recall 10V468 when you contact the service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V468000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V468 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V468000 |
Source documents
-
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 →