Recall 18V250 covers 90 2018-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for battery cable clearance. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 90 2018-2019 Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses under recall 18V250 because the battery power cable can rub against the battery hold down bracket when the battery tray is pulled out for service. That rubbing can short circuit the cable and increase fire risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The battery power cable on the 2018-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 carries power from the 2 8D batteries to the bus electrical system. The battery hold down bracket keeps those large batteries secured in the tray, including when the tray is pulled out for service. The cable needs enough space around that bracket so it does not touch metal during maintenance.
On affected buses, the cable has too little clearance from the battery hold down bracket. When a technician pulls the battery tray out for service, the cable can rub against the bracket. That contact can wear the cable covering and damage the power cable where it should stay protected.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the rub happens when the battery tray is pulled out for service, a driver is not given a normal dash warning or driving symptom first. A service technician is more likely to find the problem during battery tray inspection.
Who's affected?
The scope is limited to the Saf-T-Liner C2 across 2018 and 2019, with the same battery-cable component listed for both model years.
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | battery |
|---|---|
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | battery |
| Units affected | 90 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA 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?
A battery cable that rubs against nearby parts can short circuit and increase the risk of a fire. Treat this as a prompt service issue: confirm whether your Saf-T-Liner C2 is included, then arrange the dealer inspection and cable rerouting. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask if the battery-cable inspection and rerouting is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 18V250 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL768 when you call.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, ask the dealer to look up the recall by VIN.
- Keep the battery tray service area checked until repair, because cable contact with the hold-down bracket can lead to a short circuit and fire.
What happens at the repair
The repair path is straightforward once Thomas Built Buses opens the final dealer repair. A Thomas Built Buses technician will inspect the battery power cable at the battery tray, check clearance from the battery hold down bracket, and reroute the cable where needed so it does not rub when the tray is pulled out for service. Parts and labor will be covered under recall 18V250 once the repair is available.
Timeline
| April 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 15, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 3, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V250?
Recall 18V250 covers 90 2018-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses equipped with 2 8D batteries. The battery power cable can rub against the battery hold down bracket when the tray is pulled out for service, which can cause a short circuit and increase fire risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V250. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the FL768 recall inspection. The dealer will inspect the battery cables and reroute them for proper clearance if needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost. For recall 18V250, the dealer inspection and battery cable rerouting are free at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the battery power cable rubs against the battery hold down bracket during service access, the cable can short circuit. The recall repair creates proper clearance so the cable does not rub the bracket.
When did Thomas Built Buses notify owners?
Thomas Built Buses issued an interim owner notice on June 18, 2018, and the recall began October 3, 2018. If you own one of these buses and never received a notice, the VIN check is still the correct way to confirm whether recall 18V250 applies.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V250000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V250 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V250000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →