Recall 17V454 covers 32 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for wheelchair-track anchorage reinforcement. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 32 2005-2018 Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses because the wheelchair pocket track anchorage can fail to keep a wheelchair secured in a crash. An unsecured wheelchair raises the risk of injury, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The wheelchair pocket track anchorage in 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses is the floor-mounted track that gives wheelchair securement hardware a fixed place to lock in. During normal use, the tie-down equipment attaches to the track so the wheelchair stays positioned in its seating area while the bus is moving and during a crash.
On affected buses, specific wheelchair pocket tracks did not meet the anchorage performance DTNA expected during testing. The issue is not described as a visible broken part. The concern is that, in a crash, the anchorage can fail to hold the wheelchair as designed, which means the wheelchair is not adequately secured.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver, attendant, or passenger is not expected to hear a noise, see a warning light, or notice a handling change before the anchorage is tested by crash forces.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2005-2018 model years for the same Saf-T-Liner C2 equipment component.
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| 2005 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 |
| 2017 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 |
| 2007 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 32 |
| 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?
In a crash, a wheelchair that is not secured can increase injury risk for the passenger and others nearby. Keep wheelchair positions anchored as instructed, and schedule the reinforcement repair soon if this bus has not had it completed. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free wheelchair pocket track fastener repair that reinforces the wheelchair anchorage.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V454 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-743 when you call.
- Avoid transporting a wheelchair in that pocket track until the anchorage repair is complete.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-745-8000 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician adds fasteners to the wheelchair pocket track and reinforces the anchorage so the wheelchair station is secured as designed. The dealer repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm that the repair is tied to recall 17V454 and that the work is complete before returning the bus to service.
Timeline
| July 17, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 14, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 20, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V454?
Recall 17V454 covers 32 2005-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses with wheelchair pocket track anchorages that do not adequately secure a wheelchair in a crash. Thomas Built Buses dealers reinforce the anchorage by adding fasteners 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 17V454. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the wheelchair pocket track anchorage repair. Reference recall 17V454 or DTNA recall FL-743 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses dealers add the needed fasteners to reinforce the wheelchair pocket track anchorage free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unsecured wheelchair during a crash. If the wheelchair pocket track anchorage does not hold as designed, the wheelchair can move and increase the risk of injury. The dealer repair reinforces the anchorage with additional fasteners.
What if I bought the bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether the bus is included, then call a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and reference recall 17V454.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V454000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V454 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V454000 |
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 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 →