Recall 16V323 covers 2,032 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses for coolant-elbow failure. Repair is free at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 2,032 2014-2017 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses because a rubber elbow in the coolant line can restrict flow to a heater and fail under stress. If it fails, hot coolant can leak inside the bus body and increase injury risk to passengers; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The coolant line on 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses carries engine coolant to a heater inside the bus. A small elbow fitting connects that line to the heater, so hot coolant can move through the heater circuit without leaking or being pinched. The fitting has to hold its shape while the cooling system is hot and under pressure.
On affected buses, the wrong part was installed in that location. A rubber elbow was used where a glass-filled nylon fitting belonged. The rubber elbow can restrict coolant flow, which adds stress at the connection and causes the elbow to fail earlier than designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. That means the elbow can fail before the driver has a clear symptom to report.
Who's affected?
The scope is the same bus model across 4 model years, with the cooling system listed for each year.
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| Units affected | 2,032 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A failed rubber elbow can let hot coolant leak inside the bus body, which increases the risk of passenger injury. Watch for coolant smell, steam, wet flooring, or overheating, and schedule the repair soon if this bus is included. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free rubber-elbow replacement that swaps the stressed heater coolant-line elbow for a nylon fitting.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V323 when you call.
- Watch for coolant leakage inside the bus and keep passengers clear of the heater area until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the rubber elbow that connects the coolant line to the bus heater with a nylon fitting. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. The work addresses the restricted coolant flow and stress on the elbow described in recall 16V323. Ask the service desk to confirm the repair is recorded under DTNA recall FL-708 before the bus returns to service.
Timeline
| May 19, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 11, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| July 11, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 11, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 11, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 20, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V323?
Recall 16V323 covers 2,032 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with a coolant-line rubber elbow that can restrict flow and fail under added stress. If it fails, hot coolant can leak inside the bus body and injure passengers. Dealers replace the elbow with a nylon fitting for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V323. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule replacement of the coolant-line rubber elbow with a nylon fitting. Reference recall number 16V323 or FL-708 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses dealers replace the affected rubber elbow with a nylon fitting free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 16V323.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hot coolant leaking inside the bus body if the rubber elbow fails. Recall 16V323 ties that failure to an increased risk of injury to passengers. Until the repair is complete, use the VIN result and dealer guidance to decide how the bus should be handled.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on September 20, 2016, after an interim owner notice was sent on July 6, 2016. For an included 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, the dealer repair is available and free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V323000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V323 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V323000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →