Recall 16V324 affects 131 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses for hot-coolant leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 131 2014-2017 Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses because a rubber elbow in the heater coolant line can restrict flow and fail under added stress. If it fails, hot coolant can leak inside the bus body and injure passengers; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The heater coolant line on 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses carries hot engine coolant to a heater inside the bus. That coolant flow lets the heater make warm air while the diesel engine cooling system keeps fluid moving through the proper path. The connection point is supposed to use a fitting built for heat and vibration.
On affected buses, an incorrect rubber elbow was used where a glass-filled nylon fitting belonged. The rubber elbow can restrict coolant flow, which adds stress at the connection. As the bus runs and the line heats, cools, and vibrates, that extra stress can cause the elbow to fail.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or technician first sees the problem after the elbow has already begun leaking or separating, so the repair focus is replacing the incorrect connection with the proper fitting.
Who's affected?
The same diesel-engine component scope appears across the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years.
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Diesel |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Diesel |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Diesel |
| Units affected | 131 |
| 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 your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the rubber elbow fails, hot coolant can leak inside the bus body and injure passengers. Treat any coolant smell, steam, wet flooring, or heat inside the bus as a reason to stop service and call the dealer. 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 with a nylon fitting, which fixes the coolant-line restriction and leak risk inside the bus body.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V324 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-708 when you call.
- Avoid carrying passengers if hot coolant is leaking inside the bus body, and ask the dealer for guidance before moving the bus.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the rubber elbow that connects the coolant line to the heater with a nylon fitting. That change removes the restricted rubber elbow from the heater coolant path and addresses the stress that led to the recall. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Since the remedy is available, an included bus can be scheduled with a Thomas Built Buses dealer for the replacement.
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 16V324?
Recall 16V324 covers 131 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses with a rubber coolant-line elbow that can restrict coolant flow and fail under added stress. Thomas Built Buses dealers will replace the rubber 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 16V324. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the coolant fitting repair. Reference recall number 16V324 and DTNA recall number FL-708 when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No, the recall repair is free. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will replace the rubber elbow with a nylon fitting free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hot coolant leaking inside the bus body after the rubber elbow fails. NHTSA campaign 16V324 says that leak increases injury risk to passengers. The repair path is to have the dealer replace the rubber elbow with a nylon fitting for free.
When did owner notices go out for recall 16V324?
DTNA mailed an interim notice on July 6, 2016, and the recall began on September 20, 2016. If you own or operate one of these buses now, the VIN check still decides whether this specific bus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V324000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V324 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V324000 |
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 →