Recall 18V878 covers 32 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for roof adhesive. Free repair at a Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 32 2017-2019 Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses because roof adhesive supporting the roof header was not properly applied. The defect can weaken the roof header joint in a rollover crash and increase injury risk, and the Thomas Built Buses dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The roof header on 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses is part of the roof and pillar structure. It helps tie the roof panel into the body so the roof joint stays bonded and supported as the bus flexes on the road.
On affected buses, the adhesive that supports the roof header was installed in the wrong location during production. Adhesive works only when it sits where the parts meet and bond. When it is misplaced, the joint loses some of the strength the design depends on, especially at the roof header.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners, fleets, and drivers should not expect a sound, light, leak, or visible change that confirms the adhesive is out of position. The issue is inside the roof structure, so inspection and repair need to happen through the Thomas Built Buses dealer process.
Who's affected?
The scope spans 3 model years of the Saf-T-Liner C2, all tied to the same body-structure issue.
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body structure |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body structure |
| Units affected | 32 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper adhesive can reduce the roof header joint strength. In a rollover crash, that weaker joint can increase injury risk. There is no listed warning sign, so confirm whether the bus is included and follow dealer guidance instead of waiting for symptoms. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 bus is included in this recall.
- Review the owner letter mailed for this recall, or call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for current repair timing.
- Ask a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer whether the roof-header adhesive inspection and mechanical-fastener repair is open for your VIN; the repair strengthens the roof header joint.
- Reference recall number 18V878 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-801 when you call.
- Avoid rollover-risk driving conditions until the repair is complete, and keep normal passenger-loading rules in place.
What happens at the repair
The final repair is listed as still under development. Once it opens, a Thomas Built Buses technician will inspect the roof header adhesive placement and install mechanical fasteners where the roof header needs added support. The dealer repair will be free once available, including covered parts and labor. Until then, keep the recall notice with the vehicle records and ask the dealer service desk what inspection or interim guidance applies to this Saf-T-Liner C2.
Timeline
| December 10, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 7, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 7, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 25, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V878?
Recall 18V878 covers 32 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses with roof header adhesive that was not applied correctly. The repair calls for dealer inspection of the adhesive placement and mechanical fasteners as needed, free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V878. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the roof header adhesive inspection. Reference recall 18V878 or FL-801 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V878, the dealer inspects the roof header adhesive placement and installs mechanical fasteners as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced roof header joint strength during a rollover crash. If the adhesive was applied incorrectly, the roof structure has less joint support, increasing injury risk in that crash type. The dealer inspection and fastener installation address that defect.
When were owners notified about recall 18V878?
Thomas Built Buses issued an interim owner notification on February 1, 2019, and the recall began on March 25, 2020. If you own or manage one of these buses now, the VIN check is still the right first step before calling the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V878000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V878 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V878000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →