Recall 11V578 covers 2,800 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses for lighting failure. Free repair at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 2,800 2012 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because bulk-head module software can shut off the side marker and directional lights after the bus is running. Without those lights, other drivers have less visibility of the bus and its direction of travel; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The bulkhead module on the 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is an electronic control unit that helps manage exterior lighting. In this recall, the affected lights are the side marker lights and directional lights, which help other drivers see the bus position and intended turns. Those lights need steady power and correct control signals whenever the bus is operating.
On affected buses, the module has bulkhead module software release 2.1 with reference parameter release P38407-06. The software uses inaccurate fault detection values, so it reads the lighting circuit incorrectly after the bus has been running. Once that happens, the side marker and directional lights stop functioning after 5 to 13 minutes of vehicle operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lights can work when the bus starts, then stop during the route, so an owner or driver has to treat any loss of marker lights or turn signal operation as part of the defect covered by recall 11V578.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Turn signal |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,800 |
Not every 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side marker or directional lights do not illuminate, other drivers have less visibility of the bus and its intended direction of travel. That increases crash risk, especially around turns or lane changes. Schedule 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 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses service facility to ask about the free bulk-head module software update that keeps the side marker and directional lights working.
- Reference recall number 11V578 when you call, and bring the owner notice if you have it.
- Avoid operating the bus until the lighting recall status is confirmed and the software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
The remedy path for campaign 11V578 is a software update to the bulkhead module. At a Thomas Built Buses authorized service facility, a Thomas Built Buses technician updates the module software so the side marker and directional lights keep operating as intended. The source remedy says the safety recall began on February 2, 2012, and the software update is free of charge. If your VIN is included, ask the service facility to confirm that the bulkhead module software update has been completed before the bus returns to service.
Timeline
| December 5, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V578?
Recall 11V578 covers 2,800 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with bulk-head module software that can shut off the side marker and directional lights after 5 to 13 minutes of operation. The repair updates the software for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 11V578. If it is, contact a Thomas Built Buses authorized service facility and ask for the bulk-head module software update. Reference recall number 11V578 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses will update the bulk-head module software free of charge through authorized service facilities.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers. In recall 11V578, the side marker and directional lights can stop illuminating during operation, making the bus and its intended direction of travel harder to see and increasing crash risk.
Has the recall repair started?
Yes. The safety recall began on February 2, 2012. If your VIN is included and the software update was never completed, contact a Thomas Built Buses authorized service facility or call 1-800-547-0712 for recall service guidance.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V578000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V578 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V578000 |
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 →