Recall 13V022 covers 143 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses for headlight power loss. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 143 2013-2014 Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses because the daytime running light circuit breaker can trip during high-beam headlight use. That loss of power can turn off the headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting, reducing the driver's view and the bus's visibility; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx uses a daytime running light circuit with a circuit breaker, a protective switch that opens when the electrical load is too high. That breaker is supposed to protect the lighting wiring while still allowing the headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting to keep working during normal operation.
On buses equipped with the 100% Daytime Running Lights option code C3676-24-000, the breaker can trip during continuous headlight use in high beam mode. When it trips, it cuts power to the lighting circuit instead of keeping the lights on. The result is loss of power to the headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing a driver notices is the lighting loss itself, including dark exterior lights or a dark dash while the headlights are being used.
Who's affected?
The scope is split across exterior lighting and wiring components for the same Saf-T-Liner Efx buses in the 2013-2014 model years.
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | wiring |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | wiring |
| Units affected | 143 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of power to the bus lights can make it harder for the driver to see traffic, pedestrians, or objects, and it can make the bus harder for others to see. That visibility loss increases crash risk. Schedule the repair soon and use extra caution if lighting problems appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is included in this recall.
- Contact Thomas Built Buses Warranty Department at 1-366-889-4871 to confirm the dealer repair path for your bus.
- Ask a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer about the free circuit-breaker replacement that fixes the headlight, marker-light, tail-light, and dash-light power loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V022 when you call.
- Avoid high-beam use during continuous headlight operation until the circuit breaker is replaced.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the daytime running light circuit breaker. That repair is meant to stop the breaker from tripping during continuous high beam headlight operation, which can cut power to the headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting. Owner notification began on December 14, 2012, and the circuit breaker replacement is free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered by the dealer repair.
Timeline
| January 23, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V022?
Recall 13V022 covers 143 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with a DRL circuit breaker that can trip during continuous high-beam headlight operation. The fault can cut power to headlights, marker lights, tail lights, and dash lighting.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V022. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the circuit breaker replacement. Reference recall number 13V022 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost. Thomas Built Buses dealers will replace the affected circuit breaker free of charge under recall 13V022.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 13V022 is reduced visibility. If the DRL circuit breaker trips, the bus can lose power to exterior lights and dash lighting, reducing the driver's ability to see vehicles, pedestrians, or objects and reducing the bus' visibility to others.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V022000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-366-889-4871 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V022 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V022000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →