Recall 17V589 covers 28 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses with missing seat reinforcement brackets. Dealer repair is free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 28 2014-2018 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit buses because seats with 3-point seat belts can be missing a reinforcement bracket. NHTSA says the missing bracket can leave the seat inadequately secured in a crash, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The seats in the 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx use 3-point seat belts, which secure a passenger at the lap and shoulder. Those belts depend on the seat anchorage, the structure that holds the seat and belt loads to the bus body during a stop or crash. A reinforcement bracket is part of that anchorage path.
On affected buses, that reinforcement bracket was missing from some Freedman 3-Point Belted seats. Without the bracket, the seat anchorage does not meet the required strength for the belt system. The belt can look complete, but the load path behind it is weaker than designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner, driver, or technician will not hear a noise or see a dashboard light that confirms the bracket is missing. The issue is found by inspecting the affected seats and anchorage hardware.
Who's affected?
Spans the Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx across the 2014-2018 model years, with the same seat assembly involved for both bus lines.
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 28 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Without the reinforcement bracket, the seat has reduced crash securement, increasing injury risk for the occupant. Drive cautiously, avoid unnecessary trips until the seat inspection is complete, and schedule the dealer inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free seat inspection and reinforcement-bracket installation, which secures seats with 3-point seat belts.
- Bring the owner notice if available, and reference recall number 17V589 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-747 when you call.
- Keep buses with included VINs out of passenger service until the seat inspection and any needed bracket installation are complete.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the seats with 3-point seat belts and installs any missing reinforcement brackets. The inspection and bracket installation are free under the recall, including parts and labor. The remedy is available now, so the service desk can confirm whether each bus needs brackets during the recall visit. Use recall number FL-747 when scheduling service.
Timeline
| September 21, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 19, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 19, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 19, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 14, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V589?
Recall 17V589 covers 28 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit buses with seats that have 3-point seat belts and lack a reinforcement bracket. Without that bracket, the seat can fail to stay secured in a crash, increasing injury risk. Dealers inspect the seats and install missing brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V589. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the seat inspection and bracket installation. Reference recall number 17V589 or DTNA recall FL-747 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer will inspect the affected seats and install any missing reinforcement brackets free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a seat with a missing reinforcement bracket can fail to stay adequately secured in a crash. That increases the risk of injury for the seated passenger. The repair path is an inspection and free bracket installation at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
When were owners notified about recall 17V589?
Owners received an interim notice on November 7, 2017, and the recall began on March 14, 2018. Since the repair is available, owners do not need to wait for another notice before checking the VIN and contacting a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V589000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V589 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V589000 |
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 →