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Campaign 15V564 Posted September 4, 2015 52 units

2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Recall 15V564: Lift Arms

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 31, 2026

Recall 15V564 covers 52 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Hdx, Ef, and Minotour buses for wheelchair lift bearing defects. Repair is free.

Thomas Built Buses is recalling 52 2006-2015 Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Saf-T-Liner Ef, and Minotour buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. Oversized pivot holes can let lift bearings move out of position, which can make the stowed platform mounting fail and let the platform fall out when the doors open; the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The wheelchair lift on 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Saf-T-Liner Ef, and Minotour buses is adaptive mobility equipment that raises and lowers a wheelchair passenger at the doorway. The folding link arms help support and guide the lift as it moves. The bearings in those arms are supposed to stay centered in their pivot holes so the lift tracks correctly under load.

On these buses, the pivot holes in the folding link arms were manufactured too large on some Ricon S Series lifts. When the hole is oversized, the bearing can move out of position instead of staying seated. That movement changes how the arm supports the lift, leaving the lift unable to operate as designed while a passenger is using it.

There is no warning sign before failure. A lift can appear normal until the bearing shifts, so the safer assumption is that an included lift needs the recall repair before continued service.

Who's affected?

Spans four bus lines across the 2006-2015 model years, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.

2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx Equipment adaptive/mobility
2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx Equipment adaptive/mobility
2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx Equipment adaptive/mobility
2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Ef Equipment adaptive/mobility
2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx Equipment adaptive/mobility
Units affected52
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date.

A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

Shifted lift bearings can let the stowed platform move excessively and damage the platform mounting. When the doors open, the platform can fall out of the vehicle, creating an injury risk for the lift operator. Keep people clear of the lift area and arrange dealer inspection before using the lift. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Saf-T-Liner Ef, or Minotour is included in this recall.
  2. Watch for Thomas Built Buses repair instructions if you have not received an owner notice.
  3. Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-745-8000 and reference recall number 15V564 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-686.
  4. Ask the dealer to inspect the wheelchair lift link arms, bearings, and platform, then replace damaged parts that let the lift platform move or fall when the doors open.
  5. Keep passengers and lift operators clear of the wheelchair lift area until Thomas Built Buses confirms the lift has been inspected and repaired.

What happens at the repair

When the dealer repair is available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will inspect the wheelchair lift link arms for damage and displaced bearings, then inspect the platform for cracks. Any damaged link arm, bearing, platform, or related part will be replaced free under the recall. The reimbursement file lists a general reimbursement plan, so if you already paid for a related wheelchair lift repair before the recall notice, ask the service desk or DTNA customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

September 4, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
November 2, 2015 Owner notification mailed
November 2, 2015 Dealer notification began
November 2, 2015 Dealer notification ended
November 2, 2015 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V564?

Recall 15V564 covers 52 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Saf-T-Liner Ef, and Minotour buses with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. Oversized pivot holes in the folding link arms can let bearings move out of position. Dealers inspect the lift and replace damaged parts for free.

What should I do if my 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Saf-T-Liner Ef, or Minotour is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V564. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the wheelchair lift inspection. Reference recall number 15V564 or Thomas Built Buses recall FL-686 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V564, the dealer inspects the wheelchair lift link arms and platform, then replaces damaged parts free of charge.

What is the safety risk?

The risk is that the stowed wheelchair lift platform can move too much if the bearings shift out of position. That movement can damage the platform mounting, and the platform can fall out when the doors are opened, increasing injury risk for the lift operator.

What if I bought the bus used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included, then give recall number 15V564 or FL-686 to the Thomas Built Buses dealer service desk.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V564000
Thomas Built Buses customer service1-800-745-8000
NHTSA recall #15V564
NHTSA recall # (full)15V564000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →