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Campaign 18V083 Posted January 30, 2018 606 units

2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Recall 18V083: Extinguisher

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 18V083 covers 606 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses school buses with Kidde fire extinguishers that fail to discharge. Replacement is free through Kidde.

Thomas Built Buses is recalling 606 2002-2017 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, and Minotour school buses equipped with Kidde plastic-handle or push-button fire extinguishers that can clog, require excessive force, or detach at the nozzle. In a fire, a failed extinguisher raises injury risk, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.

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What's wrong?

The recalled equipment is a Kidde plastic-handle or push button Pindicator fire extinguisher installed on 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Minotour school buses. The extinguisher is supposed to discharge suppressant when a driver or staff member activates it, giving the bus crew a first response tool if a fire starts.

On the affected buses, the extinguisher itself can fail when needed. The nozzle or internal passage can clog, so the extinguisher does not discharge as expected, or it can take excessive force to activate. In certain extinguisher models, the nozzle can detach from the valve assembly with enough force to injure someone and leave the extinguisher inoperable.

There is no warning sign before failure. The extinguisher can look ready in its bracket, but the problem shows up only when someone tries to use it.

Who's affected?

Spans Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Minotour buses from 2002-2017, all tied to the equipment component.

2005 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx Equipment
2016 Thomas Built Buses FS-65 Equipment
2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx Equipment
2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Equipment
2003 Thomas Built Buses Minotour Equipment
Units affected606
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?

If a fire starts, a fire extinguisher that fails to work properly leaves occupants with less protection and increases the risk of injury. Keep the bus's extinguisher accessible, and schedule the replacement promptly if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, or Minotour is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Thomas Built Buses customer service or your Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm the free Kidde fire-extinguisher replacement process.
  3. Call Kidde at 1-855-262-3540 for the replacement extinguisher that fixes the clogging, hard-activation, or nozzle-detachment risk.
  4. Reference recall number 18V083 when you call, and use Thomas Built Buses recall FL-759 if the service desk asks for the company recall number.
  5. Bring the recall notice if you have it, or give the dealer and Kidde the VIN so they can match the bus to the replacement program.

What happens at the repair

A Thomas Built Buses service desk can confirm the school bus is included, but the remedy route is through Kidde. DTNA instructs owners to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher. The recall remedy is available, and the replacement extinguisher is free of charge. If the bus still carries one of the covered Kidde plastic handle or push button extinguishers, remove it from service only after arranging the replacement so the bus is not left without required fire safety equipment.

Timeline

January 30, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
March 30, 2018 Dealer notification began
March 30, 2018 Dealer notification ended
March 30, 2018 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
April 11, 2018 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V083?

Recall 18V083 covers 606 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, and Minotour school buses with certain Kidde fire extinguishers. The extinguisher can clog, require excessive force, or have a nozzle detach, which can increase injury risk during a fire.

What should I do if my 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, or Minotour is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm the bus is included in recall 18V083. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or Kidde customer service about the free replacement fire extinguisher. Reference recall number 18V083 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-759 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. The recall remedy provides a replacement Kidde fire extinguisher free of charge. The filing says owners are instructed to contact Kidde for the replacement, and Thomas Built Buses owners can also contact customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for recall FL-759.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is that the fire extinguisher does not work when needed during a fire. A clogged extinguisher, excessive activation force, or detached nozzle can leave occupants without the expected fire response tool and increase the risk of injury.

What if I bought this bus used?

The free recall remedy still applies to an included bus. Used ownership does not remove the recall obligation. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or Kidde with recall 18V083 and FL-759 so they can confirm the replacement path.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V083000
Thomas Built Buses customer service1-800-547-0712
NHTSA recall #18V083
NHTSA recall # (full)18V083000

Source documents

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 →