Recall 18V930 covers 5,423 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses for ignition-fuse overload. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 5,423 2019-2020 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because an electrical overload in the optional auxiliary outlet circuit can open the ignition fuse and shut down the engine. An engine shutdown without the ability to restart increases crash risk, and the Thomas Built Buses dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses have an optional auxiliary outlet tied into the ignition and accessory power circuits. That outlet is meant to power added equipment while the bus electrical system is on. The fuse in that circuit is a small protective link that opens when current gets too high, so wiring and components are not damaged.
On these buses, an electrical overload on the auxiliary outlet circuit can also open the ignition fuse. When that fuse opens, power to the ignition circuit is interrupted. The engine can shut down while the bus is in operation, because the circuit that keeps it running has lost power.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver would not get a specific early symptom from the recall filing; if the overload opens the fuse, the problem shows up as an engine shutdown.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same wiring and circuit-breaker area.
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | wiring |
| Units affected | 5,423 |
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?
The engine can shut down and fail to restart, which increases the risk of a crash. If the bus stalls, move it out of traffic only if you can do so safely, then call the dealer. 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.
- Use any Thomas Built Buses owner notice you received before scheduling service, or call customer service at 1-800-547-0712 if the bus changed owners.
- Ask a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer about the free wiring modification that prevents an auxiliary-outlet overload from opening the ignition fuse and shutting down the engine.
- Reference recall number 18V930 when you call the dealer or Thomas Built Buses customer service.
- Avoid using the auxiliary power outlet until the wiring repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician modifies the wiring so the auxiliary power port cannot affect the ignition circuit. The work is meant to keep an electrical overload on that auxiliary circuit from opening the ignition fuse and shutting down the engine. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the wiring modification listed for this campaign before the bus is brought in.
Timeline
| December 21, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 27, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V930?
Recall 18V930 covers 5,423 2019-2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with an auxiliary outlet wiring issue. An overload on that circuit can open the ignition fuse, shut down the engine, and prevent restart, increasing crash risk.
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 18V930. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and reference recall 18V930 or FL-804. The dealer will modify the wiring so the power port cannot affect the ignition circuit.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V930, Thomas Built Buses dealers will modify the wiring free of charge so the auxiliary power outlet no longer affects the ignition circuit.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V930?
The safety risk is engine shutdown without restart. If the auxiliary outlet circuit overloads and opens the ignition fuse, the bus engine can shut down while in use, which increases crash risk. The repair changes the wiring path to protect the ignition circuit.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on August 27, 2019. An interim owner letter was mailed on February 1, 2019. If your bus is included and the repair has not been completed, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer with recall number 18V930 or FL-804.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V930000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V930 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V930000 |
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 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 →