Recall 12V572 covers 42 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for fan pulley fatigue. Repair is free at Cummins authorized service facilities.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 42 2011-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2 buses because an engine fan pulley in the Cummins ISB6.7 accessory drive system can fatigue and fail. If the pulley fails, the belt can stop driving the water pump, overheat the engine, disable the bus, and force occupants to transfer to another vehicle; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fan pulley on the 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engine. The belt turns this pulley to run equipment the engine depends on, including the radiator fan and engine water pump. It also helps drive refrigerant compressors for the bus.
On these buses, the pulley with part number 3914462 has a web that fatigues over time. The web is the center section of the pulley that connects the belt surface to the hub. As that section weakens, the pulley loses strength and fails, which stops the accessory drive from doing its job.
The recall information does not list an owner-noticeable symptom before the pulley fails. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Scope spans the 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years for the same Saf-T-Liner C2 diesel-engine issue.
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Diesel |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Diesel |
| Units affected | 42 |
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 fan belt loses engagement with the water pump, the cooling system can overheat, exceed temperature limits, and disable the school bus. An occupied disabled bus requires passengers to exit and transfer to another vehicle, which increases injury risk. 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 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm the free fan-drive-pulley repair path.
- Ask for a Cummins authorized service facility to install the new fan drive pulley that prevents belt loss, overheating, and bus disablement.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V572 when you call.
- Watch for engine temperature warnings until the repair is complete, and remove the bus from service if it overheats.
What happens at the repair
The known repair is replacement of the fan drive pulley in the engine accessory drive system. A Thomas Built Buses service technician or Cummins authorized service facility installs a new fan drive pulley free of charge. That pulley helps drive front engine components such as the refrigerant compressor, radiator fan, and water pump. The source record says the safety recall began on January 4, 2013, but it does not list a current remedy status. If your VIN is included and service is still open, the dealer repair will be free once available for your vehicle.
Timeline
| December 11, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V572?
Recall 12V572 covers 42 2011-2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines and a fan pulley that can fatigue and fail. Cummins authorized service facilities install a new fan drive pulley 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 bus is included in recall 12V572. If it is, contact a Cummins authorized service facility or Thomas Built Buses support to schedule the fan drive pulley replacement. Reference recall number 12V572 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. For recall 12V572, a Cummins authorized service facility installs a new fan drive pulley free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is engine overheating that disables the bus. If the fan pulley fails, the fan belt loses engagement with the water pump, and the cooling system overheats. If occupants are on board when the bus becomes disabled, they need transfer to another vehicle, creating injury risk.
What if I bought this bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Saf-T-Liner C2 is included, then reference recall number 12V572 when you contact the service facility.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V572000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-812-377-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V572 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V572000 |
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →