Recall 15V843 affects 508 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses school buses because certain seats can tilt rearward. Repair is free at franchised Thomas Built Buses dealers.
Thomas Built Buses recall 15V843 covers 508 2016-2017 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Minotour, and Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with certain Syntec S3B track-mounted seats. In a severe rear-end collision, the seats can tilt rearward, injure passengers' knees, or block exit from the bus; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The passenger seats in the 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Minotour, and Saf-T-Liner Efx are designed to stay anchored and upright during a crash. These buses use Syntec S3B track-mounted seats in 30, 36, 39, and 45 inch widths. The seat structure and track are part of the occupant protection system, keeping students in position so the seat back can manage crash forces.
In NHTSA campaign 15V843, the issue is the way those seats respond in a severe rear-end collision. Instead of staying in the designed position, the seat can tilt rearward. That movement means the seats do not meet the school bus passenger seating and crash protection standard named in the recall.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat looks normal until the crash forces load it, so the VIN and seat equipment decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Spans four bus models from the 2016 and 2017 model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | seat assembly |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | seat assembly |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 508 |
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?
Affected seats can tilt rearward in a severe rear-end collision, injuring passengers' knees or blocking exit from the bus. There is no listed warning sign tied to this seat issue, so confirm the VIN and schedule service before regular use. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Minotour, or Saf-T-Liner Efx school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask about scheduling the free toe-clamp installation for the S3B track mounted seats.
- Reference recall number 15V843 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-698 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, plus any service records for the affected seats.
- Keep passengers out of the affected seats until the dealer confirms the toe-clamp repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician will install a toe-clamp on the front feet of the S3B track mounted seats. That added clamp is meant to keep the seats from tilting rearward in a severe rear-end collision. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm that the seat track work applies to your VIN before the appointment.
Timeline
| December 15, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 21, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V843?
Recall 15V843 covers 508 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Minotour, and Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with Syntec S3B track mounted seats. In a severe rear-end collision, the seats can tilt rearward. Dealers install a toe-clamp on the seat feet for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, Minotour, or Saf-T-Liner Efx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 15V843. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the S3B seat toe-clamp repair. Reference recall number 15V843 and Thomas Built Buses recall number FL-698 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost to the owner. A franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer will install the toe-clamp on the front feet of the affected S3B track mounted seats free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is passenger injury and blocked exit space after a severe rear-end collision. The affected seats can tilt rearward, injuring passengers' knees or making it harder to exit the bus. The repair adds a toe-clamp to secure the front feet of the seats.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V843000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V843 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V843000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →