If your VIN is in recall 15V344, Thomas Built Buses will secure the crankcase vent elbow for free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 746 2008-2015 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses under recall 15V344 because excessive crankcase pressure can detach a vent tube elbow and let engine oil reach hot surfaces. That oil contact raises the risk of fire, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On 2008-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with Cummins Westport ISL G engines, the crankcase ventilation breather is part of the engine breathing system. It relieves pressure inside the crankcase, the lower part of the engine where oil circulates around moving parts, and routes oily vapor through a vent tube assembly.
The problem is at the 90-degree elbow on that vent tube assembly. Excessive crankcase pressure can push the elbow loose from the breather instead of keeping the tube connected. Once the elbow detaches, engine oil and oily vapor can escape the intended path and contact hot engine surfaces.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or maintenance technician sees the problem only after the vent tube has come loose, oil is visible near the engine, or engine-compartment oil odor appears during inspection.
Who's affected?
Covers one bus line across 8 model years, all tied to the engine component.
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Engine |
| Units affected | 746 |
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?
Engine oil on a hot surface raises the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign listed before this fire risk, so use the VIN result and schedule the repair instead of waiting for a symptom. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free engine-vent repair.
- Schedule the 90-degree elbow securing and ECM software reprogramming that limits crankcase pressure and keeps engine oil away from hot surfaces.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V344 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service if oil is present near hot engine surfaces or you smell burning oil, and ask the dealer before driving it in.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician secures the ends of the 90-degree elbow on the crankcase ventilation breather. The technician also reprograms the electronic control module with software that adjusts engine output during misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressure. The recall repair is free. Thomas Built Buses has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring related receipts and repair documentation to the service desk, or contact customer service if the dealer asks you to submit the claim directly.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 3, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 27, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| July 27, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 27, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V344?
Recall 15V344 covers 746 2008-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excess crankcase pressure can detach the 90-degree vent-tube elbow, letting engine oil reach hot surfaces and increasing fire risk. Dealers secure the elbow and reprogram the ECM for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V344. If it is, contact a Thomas Built Buses dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 and reference recall FL-681. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that these repairs are free. The work includes securing the 90-degree elbow ends and reprogramming the ECM software to limit crankcase pressure under misfire conditions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If excess crankcase pressure detaches the vent-tube elbow, engine oil can contact hot surfaces. Recall 15V344 does not include a do-not-drive order, but affected buses still need the free dealer repair to remove the fire-risk condition.
When did this recall repair become available?
The recall began on June 12, 2015, so the repair is available now. For an included bus, contact a Thomas Built Buses dealer, DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000, or Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357 and reference recall FL-681.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V344000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V344 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V344000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →