Recall 18V929 covers 40 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for ignition-circuit overload. Repair will be free once available.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 40 2019-2020 Saf-T-Liner C2 buses with an optional auxiliary outlet because an electrical overload on that circuit can open the ignition fuse and shut down the engine. An engine shutdown without restart increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The optional auxiliary outlet in the 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is a power port for accessories or charging devices. On the affected buses, that outlet is tied into the ignition and accessory power circuits, so it shares electrical protection with wiring that helps keep the bus running.
The problem starts when a defective device or a device drawing high current is plugged into the outlet. That overload can open the ignition fuse, which is the fuse that protects the ignition circuit. Once that fuse opens, power to the ignition circuit is interrupted and the engine shuts down, even though the original overload came from the auxiliary outlet.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue described by Thomas Built Buses involved a bus that was parked when the device was plugged in, but the failure mechanism is the same: an overloaded outlet can open the ignition fuse without a dashboard warning or gradual change in how the bus runs.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same wiring component: fuses and circuit breakers.
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | wiring |
| Units affected | 40 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
An engine shutdown can leave the bus stopped without the ability to restart, which increases the risk of a crash. For an included Saf-T-Liner C2, schedule service soon and tell drivers to stop in a safe place if the engine shuts down. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Thomas Built Buses repair instructions before scheduling dealer service.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions, and reference recall number 18V929.
- Avoid using the optional auxiliary power outlet until the wiring is repaired, because an electrical overload can open the ignition fuse and shut down the engine.
- Bring the recall notice to a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once the wiring modification is available.
What happens at the repair
Thomas Built Buses has notified owners while the dealer repair is under development. The planned dealer work is a wiring modification that keeps the auxiliary power port from affecting the ignition circuit. Once the final repair is available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will modify the wiring at no charge. That work is meant to stop an electrical overload on the auxiliary circuit from opening the ignition fuse and shutting down the engine.
Timeline
| December 21, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 18, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 18, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 27, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V929?
Recall 18V929 covers 40 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses with an auxiliary outlet circuit that can overload the ignition circuit. That overload can open the ignition fuse, shut the engine down, and prevent restart.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V929. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the wiring modification tied to recall FL-804. Reference recall number 18V929 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V929, Thomas Built Buses dealers will modify the wiring so the power port cannot affect the ignition circuit, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine shutdown without the ability to restart. If the ignition fuse opens while the bus is in use, the engine can shut down and the driver can lose propulsion, which increases crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V929000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V929 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V929000 |
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 →