Recall 16V325 affects 94 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses for heater-hose coolant leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 94 2011-2017 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses because the transmission retarder can raise coolant system pressure, fatigue a heater hose, and send hot coolant into the bus body. That leak raises the risk of passenger injury, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The transmission retarder on the 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is part of the driveline. It helps slow the school bus by adding braking force through the transmission, which reduces demand on the service brakes. The cooling system hoses carry coolant through the bus body and heater circuit so engine and cabin heat stay controlled.
On buses equipped with this retarder, the retarder raises coolant system pressure beyond the expected level. That extra pressure stresses the heater hose each time the system heats and cools. Over time, the hose fatigues and fails early, allowing coolant to leak inside the bus body.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once coolant is leaking inside the bus body, the hose has already failed and the bus needs service.
Who's affected?
The scope lists two component areas for the same bus line: automatic transmission and cooling system.
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Cooling system |
| Units affected | 94 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?
A failed heater hose can leak hot coolant inside the bus body and increase the risk of passenger injury. Schedule the heater hose replacement soon, and keep passengers away from any coolant leak until service is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free heater-hose replacement that addresses the coolant leak risk inside the bus body.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V325 when you call.
- Avoid carrying passengers if you see or smell coolant inside the bus, and contact the dealer before returning it to service.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the heater hose covered by recall 16V325. The repair is free, including parts and labor. This hose is part of the coolant system on Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with the transmission retarder setup described in the filing. The replacement addresses hose fatigue that can let coolant leak inside the bus body. Ask the service desk to confirm the VIN is included and that the recall work is complete 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 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 20, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V325?
Recall 16V325 covers 94 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with a transmission retarder issue that can raise coolant pressure, fatigue a heater hose, and cause hot coolant to leak inside the bus body. A Thomas Built Buses dealer will replace the heater hose for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V325. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the heater-hose replacement. Reference recall number 16V325 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V325, a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer will replace the affected heater hose free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hot coolant leaking inside the bus body if the heater hose fails. NHTSA campaign 16V325 ties that leak to an increased risk of passenger injury. The remedy is a free heater-hose replacement at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
When did Thomas Built Buses notify owners about recall 16V325?
Owner notices were mailed in 2016. An interim notice was mailed on July 6, 2016, and the recall repair opened on September 20, 2016. If you never received a notice, check your VIN and reference recall number 16V325 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V325000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V325 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V325000 |
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)
- 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 →