Recall 18V561 covers 33 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses for loose seat mounts. Repair is free at a franchised dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 33 2017-2019 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with S3B 45" Restraint School Bus Seats because a seat foot can pull through the bolted joint at the floor in a crash. If the seat detaches, injury risk increases, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The S3B 45-inch restraint school bus seat in the 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is bolted to the bus floor through a metal seat foot. That foot is part of the seat anchorage, the hardware that keeps the seat and its belt restraint attached to the floor when crash forces load the seat.
On the recalled buses, the floor-mounted foot does not hold as required in the pull test for seat belt anchorage strength. The metal can yield at the bolt slot, then pull through the bolted joint at the floor. In a crash, that means the seat attachment can separate from the floor instead of staying fixed under load.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can look secure during normal use because the problem is in how the mounting foot responds under crash-level force, not in a part that gives an obvious driving symptom.
Who's affected?
Covers the Saf-T-Liner C2 across the 2017-2019 model years, with the same seat assembly listed for each year.
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 33 |
| 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?
If the seat detaches from the bus floor during a crash, the occupant has a higher injury risk. Before service, keep passengers out of any seating position that feels loose and schedule the recall repair promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free washer installation that keeps the school bus seat secured to the bus floor.
- Reference recall number 18V561 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL787 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice to the dealer appointment if Thomas Built Buses has mailed one.
- Ask the dealer whether the bus should stay out of service until the seat mounting repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility, a Thomas Built Buses technician installs a washer between the affected seat's rear mounting foot and the bus floor. That washer helps keep the seat secured at the bolted joint if the bus is in a crash. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are free of charge. The service facility secures the seat hardware before returning the bus to service.
Timeline
| August 23, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 21, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 21, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 21, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V561?
Recall 18V561 covers 33 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with S3B 45-inch restraint seats. In a crash, a seat foot can pull through the bolted floor joint, letting the seat detach and increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm the bus is included in recall 18V561. If it is, contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the seat mounting repair. The dealer installs a washer between the rear mounting foot and bus floor for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 18V561 is free. The dealer installs the washer needed to keep the restraint seat secured to the bus floor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is seat detachment during a crash. If the seat's foot pulls through the bolted joint at the bus floor, the seat can separate from the floor and increase the risk of injury for the seated passenger.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began October 17, 2018. Because that date has passed, affected owners can contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer now and reference recall 18V561 or DTNA recall number FL787 when scheduling the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V561000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V561 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V561000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →