Recall 19V368 affects 74 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 buses for loose brake caliper mounting bolts. Repair is free at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 74 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses under recall 19V368 because the air disc brake caliper mounting bolts were not tightened enough. Loose bolts can reduce brake effectiveness and raise the risk of a crash, and the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses opens the remedy.
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What's wrong?
On the 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 with air disc brakes, each brake caliper is held to the axle by a set of mounting bolts. Those bolts have to be tightened to a specific torque value at the factory. The clamping force keeps the caliper locked in position so it can squeeze the brake pads against the rotor every time the driver presses the brake pedal.
On the affected buses, some of those caliper mounting bolts were not tightened to the correct torque at the Meritor York axle plant. Plant records were missing torque data for the bolts on certain axles, which means the bolts can be loose or, over time, work themselves out entirely. A caliper that is not firmly bolted to the axle can shift, separate, or stop clamping the rotor evenly, which reduces braking force.
There is no warning sign before failure. Loose or missing caliper bolts can go unnoticed during a normal pre-trip walkaround.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 74 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Loose brake caliper mounting bolts reduce braking effectiveness and raise the risk of a crash. Treat any unusual pedal feel, pulling under braking, or noise from a wheel as a reason to stop driving and call the dealer. Schedule the repair as soon as the remedy opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner notification from DTNA, which began mailing on June 25, 2019, since the final remedy is still under development.
- Call DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference recall number 19V368 (DTNA recall FL-816) when you call.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask about scheduling the brake caliper mounting bolt inspection that addresses the loose-bolt defect once the repair opens.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and repair are complete. Allow extra stopping distance and avoid hard braking, since loose caliper bolts can reduce brake effectiveness.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the air disc brake caliper mounting bolts and tightens or repairs them as needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. The reimbursement plan has not been finalized yet. Daimler Trucks North America has stated that copies of the reimbursement plan will be submitted as a supplemental report once available, so out-of-pocket repair details are not confirmed at this time. Owners with prior repair paperwork should keep their receipts and contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to ask how the plan will apply once it is published.
Timeline
| May 14, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 12, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 12, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 12, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V368?
Recall 19V368 covers 74 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses equipped with air disc brakes whose caliper mounting bolts were insufficiently tightened. Loose bolts can reduce brake effectiveness and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and repair the buses at no cost.
What should I do if my 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V368. If it is, contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the brake caliper inspection and repair. Reference recall number 19V368 or the manufacturer's number FL-816 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. Daimler Trucks North America will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and complete any needed repair free of charge at an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk?
Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, which increases the risk of a crash. The defect affects the air disc brakes on the Saf-T-Liner C2, a system fleet operators rely on to stop a loaded school bus safely. Have the inspection completed before continuing regular service.
Who do I contact about this recall?
Contact Daimler Trucks North America customer service at 1-800-547-0712 and reference recall 19V368 or the manufacturer's internal number FL-816. Your authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer will schedule the inspection and any required repair at no cost to you.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V368000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V368 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V368000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →