Recall 17V314 affects 46 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses for seat-belt anchorage errors. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 46 2013-2018 Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit buses because occupant lap belts can be anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure. In a crash, that belt placement can fail to properly restrain the passenger and increase injury risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will inspect and repair the belt anchorage free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The lap belt in a 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is supposed to hold the passenger against the seat during a hard stop or impact. Its anchor point matters because the belt load needs to go into the bus structure, not only into the seat frame. The structure is the stronger path designed to take that force.
On affected buses, some occupant seat lap belts were anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure. That means the belt depends on the seat mounting path in a situation where the bus body should be carrying the restraint load. The issue was tied to buses built with specific seat options after improperly anchored lap belts were found at the production plant.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner, driver, or maintenance technician is unlikely to feel a change in normal driving, so the anchorage has to be checked against the recall repair instructions.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years, 2013-2018, with the same seat belt component named for each Saf-T-Liner Hdx bus.
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| Units affected | 46 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the recall, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A lap belt anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure does not restrain the occupant as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Until the inspection is completed, have the seat belt anchorage checked by the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free seat-belt anchorage inspection and modification that secures the lap belt to the bus structure when needed.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 17V314 (Thomas Built Buses recall FL-736) when you call.
- Keep riders out of any seating position that has not been inspected if the bus remains in service before the repair.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility, a technician inspects the occupant seats and lap belt anchorage. If the lap belts are anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure, the technician modifies the anchorage so the belt attaches correctly. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. The remedy is available now, so owners can schedule the inspection and any needed anchorage work with an authorized service facility.
Timeline
| May 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 9, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| July 9, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 9, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 6, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V314?
Recall 17V314 covers 46 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit buses with seat lap belts anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure. In a crash, the belt can fail to properly restrain the occupant, increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and modify the anchorage for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V314. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the seat-belt anchorage inspection and repair. Reference recall 17V314 and the manufacturer recall number FL-736 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 17V314, dealers will inspect the seats and modify the seat-belt anchorage if needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced restraint in a crash. A lap belt attached to the seat instead of the bus structure can fail to hold the occupant as intended, increasing injury risk. The repair path is the dealer inspection and anchorage modification, which is free.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on February 6, 2018. Owners received an interim notice on June 15, 2017, and the final repair is available through franchised Thomas Built Buses dealers. Have the VIN ready when you call for scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V314000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V314 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V314000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →