Recall 18V560 covers 84 2015-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses for wheelchair-lift cam failure. Dealer repair is free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 84 2015-2019 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses equipped with wheelchair lifts because the lift positioning input cam can fail during use, sending the platform above the vehicle floor. If the platform stops too high, a wheelchair user can tip inward toward the bus while exiting the lift, which raises injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on affected 2015-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx and Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses raises and lowers a passenger between the ground and the bus floor. The positioning input cam is part of the lift's control system. It helps the lift know where the platform is, so the platform stops level with the floor instead of traveling too far.
On buses equipped with the recalled Ricon S-Series or K-Series Titanium wheelchair lifts, that input cam can fail while the lift is being used. When the cam stops giving the right position signal, the lift platform can rise higher than the bus floor. That height mismatch creates a trip or fall risk for a passenger moving between the platform and the bus.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the lift stops above floor height, binds, or acts out of position, keep it out of service until the recall repair is completed.
Who's affected?
Covers 2 Saf-T-Liner bus models across the 2015-2019 model years, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 84 |
| 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?
If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inward toward the bus while exiting, increasing the risk of injury. Until the repair is completed, use extra care during lift operation and schedule service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx or Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm repair timing for recall number 18V560.
- Ask about the wheelchair-lift cam replacement that keeps the platform from rising above the bus floor.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one, or give the dealer recall number 18V560 when you call.
- Keep wheelchair lift use limited until the repair is complete if the platform does not stop level with the bus floor.
What happens at the repair
Once the repair is available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will replace the injection molded wheelchair lift positioning input cam with an aluminum machined cam. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under recall 18V560. A general reimbursement plan is on file. If you already paid for a related wheelchair lift cam repair, contact Thomas Built Buses customer service with repair documentation and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 23, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 21, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 21, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 21, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 6, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V560?
Recall 18V560 covers 84 2015-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with certain Titanium wheelchair lifts. The lift positioning input cam can fail while in use and let the platform travel above the vehicle floor height.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 18V560. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask about replacing the wheelchair lift input cam. Reference recall number 18V560 and Thomas Built Buses recall number FL785 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy calls for dealers to replace the injection molded cam with an aluminum machined cam free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury to a wheelchair user exiting the lift. If the platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inward toward the bus. Until the cam is replaced, ask the dealer or service provider how to handle lift use for an included bus.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall began December 6, 2018. For an included school bus, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to confirm the cam replacement process and appointment handling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V560000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V560 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V560000 |
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 →