Recall 13V639 affects 45 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx buses for incorrect speedometer calibration. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 45 2014-2015 Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses because an incorrect calibration can make the speedometer show a speed lower than the bus is traveling. That wrong reading can lead the driver to exceed the posted speed limit and raise the risk of a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The speedometer on the 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is part of the instrument cluster, the dashboard panel that gives the driver basic operating information. Its job is to show the bus's actual road speed so the driver can match traffic conditions, posted speed limits, and stopping distance.
In affected buses, the speedometer display is set wrong because of an incorrect calibration. Calibration is the setting that tells the gauge how to translate vehicle speed into the number shown to the driver. With the wrong setting, the bus is traveling faster than the speedometer shows.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver sees a speed reading that looks normal, but the displayed speed is lower than the bus's actual speed.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2014 and 2015 model years for the same Saf-T-Liner Efx bus platform, with the instrument panel as the shared component.
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 45 |
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?
Incorrect instrument cluster calibration can show the driver the wrong speed. That leaves the driver without a clear warning that the bus is exceeding the posted speed limit, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the software update when it is available. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is included in this recall.
- Wait for the Thomas Built Buses owner notice before scheduling the free instrument-cluster software update for the low-reading speedometer.
- Call Thomas Built Buses at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference recall number 13V639 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice to a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once the repair is open for your VIN.
- Drive with extra attention to posted speed limits until the instrument cluster software is updated.
What happens at the repair
The remedy is a software correction for the instrument cluster. Once the dealer repair is available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will update the instrument cluster software to correct the speedometer calibration, so the displayed speed matches the bus's actual travel speed. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the FL-658 campaign before any repair visit.
Timeline
| December 20, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V639?
Recall 13V639 covers 45 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with an instrument-cluster calibration error. The speedometer can show a speed lower than the bus is actually traveling. Thomas Built Buses dealers will update the instrument cluster software for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V639. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the instrument cluster software update. Reference recall 13V639 or FL-658 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will update the instrument cluster software free of charge. The repair corrects the speedometer calibration so the displayed speed matches the actual vehicle speed.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintentional speeding. If the speedometer reads lower than the bus is actually traveling, the driver can exceed the posted speed limit without realizing it, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer software update.
Who can I call about recall 13V639?
Call customer service at 1-800-547-0712 and reference recall 13V639 or FL-658. You can also contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer after checking the VIN. Have the VIN ready so the service desk can confirm whether the bus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V639000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V639 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V639000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →