Recall 17V453 covers 1,462 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for weak wheelchair anchorage. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 1,462 2005-2018 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because the wheelchair pocket track anchorage can fail to adequately secure a wheelchair in a crash. An unsecured wheelchair can increase the risk of injury, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
In recall 17V453, the wheelchair pocket track anchorage on 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses is the floor-mounted track point used to hold a wheelchair tie-down system. Its normal job is to keep the wheelchair secured to the bus floor so the chair stays held in place during a crash.
On included buses, that anchorage does not adequately secure the wheelchair in a crash. The problem is with the equipment that holds the wheelchair, not with the wheelchair itself. If the anchorage does not hold as intended, the wheelchair is not kept firmly secured when crash forces load the tie-down system.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver, aide, or technician is not given a visible or audible cue that the anchorage will fail to secure the wheelchair during a crash.
Who's affected?
The scope runs from the 2005 through 2018 model years, with the same equipment component listed across the Saf-T-Liner C2 lineup.
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2005 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2006 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 1,462 |
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?
NHTSA identifies the safety risk as injury from an unsecured wheelchair during a crash. Without secure anchorage, the wheelchair is less controlled when crash forces load the pocket track. Treat the anchorage reinforcement as a safety repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Use the owner notice Thomas Built Buses mailed for recall number 17V453, or have that number ready when you call.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer about the free wheelchair pocket track anchorage repair.
- Schedule the added-fastener repair that reinforces the wheelchair pocket track anchorage so it can better secure the wheelchair in a crash.
- Avoid transporting a wheelchair passenger in the affected position until the anchorage repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician adds additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track so the wheelchair anchorage is reinforced. The repair path says this work is performed free of charge. Because the remedy status is not marked available, confirm with the dealer before arranging service. Once available for your bus, the dealer repair is free and covers the added fasteners and related labor.
Timeline
| July 17, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V453?
Recall 17V453 covers 1,462 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with wheelchair pocket track anchorage that does not adequately secure a wheelchair in a crash. Dealers will add fasteners to reinforce the anchorage for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V453. If it is, contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the wheelchair pocket track reinforcement. Reference recall number 17V453 or DTNA recall FL-743 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, and dealers will add additional fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for buses included in recall 17V453.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unsecured wheelchair during a crash. If the wheelchair pocket track anchorage does not hold properly, the wheelchair is not adequately secured, increasing the risk of injury. The dealer repair reinforces the anchorage with additional fasteners.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall repair began on December 20, 2017. An interim notice was sent to owners on September 13, 2017. If you own or manage a 2005-2018 Saf-T-Liner C2, check your VIN and contact an authorized dealer if the bus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V453000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V453 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V453000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →