Recall 14V079 covers 727 2009-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses for frozen intake condensation disrupting sensor operation. Free Cummins ECM calibration.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 727 2009-2015 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses equipped with Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Condensation can freeze in the intake manifold during cold weather and disrupt the pressure sensor, which can raise exhaust temperatures or produce flames from the exhaust pipe; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The intake manifold on 2009-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses routes air into the engine so fuel can burn correctly. The intake manifold pressure sensor reads the air pressure inside that manifold and sends that information to the engine computer. That reading helps the engine manage operation under changing load and weather conditions.
On the recalled buses, condensation can collect inside the intake manifold. In cold weather, that moisture can freeze. Ice in that area can interfere with the intake manifold pressure sensor, so the engine computer does not get the pressure information it expects from the sensor.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem starts with freezing condensation inside the intake manifold, an owner or driver should not rely on a dashboard message or other symptom to know the sensor is affected.
Who's affected?
Spans the Saf-T-Liner Hdx across 7 model years, all tied to the engine component.
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| Units affected | 727 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A malfunctioning sensor can raise exhaust temperatures or send flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to someone nearby. Keep people clear of the exhaust area and schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or an authorized Cummins service facility to ask about the free ECM calibration that corrects the intake manifold pressure sensor problem.
- Reference recall number 14V079 and Daimler recall FL-660 when you call.
- Avoid idling near people or structures until the ECM calibration is complete, since the sensor problem can raise exhaust temperature or send flames from the exhaust pipe.
What happens at the repair
The known repair is an ECM calibration update for the Cummins Westport Model ISL G engine. At the service visit, a Thomas Built Buses technician or authorized engine service facility uploads the new calibration to the engine control module. That update is meant to address cold weather condensation that can freeze in the intake manifold and interfere with the intake manifold pressure sensor. The dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under recall 14V079.
Timeline
| February 21, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 12, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V079?
Recall 14V079 covers 727 2009-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with Cummins Westport Model ISL G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold can freeze in cold weather and interfere with the intake manifold pressure sensor, increasing fire or burn-injury risk. Authorized Cummins service facilities will update the ECM calibration for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V079. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or authorized Cummins service facility and ask for the free ECM calibration update. Reference recall number 14V079 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy to be completed at no cost to the owner. For recall 14V079, authorized Cummins service facilities will upload the new ECM calibration free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is elevated exhaust temperature or flames from the exhaust pipe. If that happens, the recall condition increases the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe. The repair path is the free ECM calibration update.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall repair began on April 12, 2014. Since that date has passed, owners should treat the remedy as open and contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or authorized Cummins service facility for the free ECM calibration update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V079000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-385-4357 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V079 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V079000 |
Source documents
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 →