Recall 17V125 affects 149 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx vehicles for a loose steering pinch bolt. Free repair at franchised Thomas Built Buses dealers.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 149 2017-2018 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses under recall 17V125 because of an improperly tightened upper pinch bolt in the steering connection. A loose bolt can lead to loss of steering and vehicle control, increasing crash risk, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering linkage on the 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is the mechanical path between the steering wheel and the front wheels. When the driver turns the wheel, that motion has to pass through the steering shaft and linkage so the front wheels turn in the same direction. The upper pinch bolt is a clamp bolt that helps lock that connection together.
On affected school buses, that upper pinch bolt was not tightened correctly. If the bolt does not hold the joint with enough clamping force, the steering shaft can separate from the steering wheel connection. At that point, turning the steering wheel no longer reliably turns the front wheels, which leaves the driver without normal steering response.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is a loose fastening point in the steering connection, so the driver is not given a dashboard light or clear symptom before the connection separates.
Who's affected?
Covers the same Saf-T-Liner Hdx steering linkage issue across the 2017 and 2018 model years.
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | steering linkage |
|---|---|
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | steering linkage |
| Units affected | 149 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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?
A loose steering shaft pinch bolt can cause loss of steering and vehicle control, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Schedule the repair soon and keep the bus out of service if steering control feels abnormal. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free steering-shaft pinch-bolt inspection and tightening that restores the steering connection.
- Bring the recall notice if one is available. If not, reference recall number 17V125 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-733 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop using the bus if steering control feels loose or abnormal.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At a Thomas Built Buses authorized service facility, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the upper steering shaft pinch bolt that secures the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. If the bolt is loose or below the required torque, the technician tightens it to specification. The recall repair is free, including inspection and any needed tightening. Schedule service with a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or authorized service facility.
Timeline
| February 24, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| February 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 10, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 10, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 15, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V125?
Recall 17V125 covers 149 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with an upper steering shaft pinch bolt that was not tightened correctly. A loose pinch bolt can cause loss of steering and vehicle control. Dealers inspect the bolt and tighten it as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 17V125. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the steering shaft pinch bolt inspection. Reference recall 17V125 and FL-733 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix this defect at no cost to owners. For recall 17V125, the dealer inspects the steering shaft pinch bolt and tightens it as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering and vehicle control. The recall involves a pinch bolt in the steering connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. If that bolt is loose, the bus can lose steering control, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V125000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V125 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V125000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →