Recall 11V573 covers 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with grid-heater wiring that can short. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 4,700 2011-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because the grid heater ground wire can contact the relay power terminal and chafe. That contact can create an electrical fault or short circuit and start a fire; the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The grid heater on 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses helps warm incoming engine air for cold starts. Its ground wire gives electrical current a return path back through the vehicle electrical system. Near that wiring, the relay power terminal carries battery power to the grid heater circuit, so both pieces need secure routing and separation.
On affected buses, the grid heater ground wire is routed where it can contact the relay power terminal. As the bus vibrates in normal service, the wire rubs against the terminal area. That contact can chafe through insulation on the ground wire. Once the protective covering is worn through, the circuit can short.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician should treat the problem as a wiring fault, because the failure comes from wire contact and chafing in the engine electrical area.
Who's affected?
Coverage spans three model years for the same engine and cooling component.
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2011 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 4,700 |
The year and model narrow the list, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical fault or short circuit creates a fire risk. Use the bus cautiously and schedule the relay ground wire inspection and correction soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask whether the free grid-heater relay ground-wire inspection is open for your VIN.
- Ask the dealer to inspect and reroute the grid-heater relay ground wire so it stays clear of the relay power terminal.
- Reference recall number 11V573 when you call, and bring the owner notice if you have it.
- Limit bus use until the dealer confirms the wire routing has been inspected or repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the grid heater relay ground wire and checks its clearance from the relay power terminal. If the wire is routed too close, the dealer modifies the routing so the wire does not rub or chafe against the power terminal. The recall repair began on February 2, 2012, and the inspection and any required wire routing work are free of charge under campaign 11V573.
Timeline
| December 5, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V573?
Recall 11V573 covers 4,700 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis B2. The grid heater ground wire can rub against the relay power terminal, causing a short circuit and fire risk. Thomas Built Buses dealers inspect and correct the wire routing for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 11V573. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the grid heater relay ground wire inspection. Reference recall number 11V573 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect the grid heater relay ground wire routing and modify it as required free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical fault or short circuit. The recall involves a grid heater ground wire that can contact, rub, and chafe against the relay power terminal. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.
What if I bought this Thomas Built Buses school bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether the bus is included, then contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and reference recall number 11V573.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V573000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V573 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V573000 |
Source documents
-
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →