Recall 19V444 covers 11,546 2010-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner school buses for dragging rear brakes. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 11,546 2010-2019 Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, and Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses equipped with Bendix Air Disc Brakes because the driver-side rear brakes can drag. Dragging brakes can overheat the wheel end and raise the risk of smoke, fire, bus evacuation, and injury; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The rear air disc brakes on these 2010-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, and Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses use a caliper to squeeze brake pads against a rotor. Air pressure applies the brake, and the caliper adjuster keeps a small gap between the pad and rotor when the brake is released. That gap is the running clearance, and it prevents the brake from staying partly applied.
On affected buses with Bendix Air Disc Brakes, the internal caliper adjuster does not behave the same at every rear wheel location. On the driver side rear wheel end, the adjuster can reduce the gap between the brake pad and rotor during normal operation. When the gap gets too small, the pad stays in contact with the rotor and the rear brake drags.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or maintenance shop can discover the issue after the brake has started dragging, such as through heat, brake wear, or resistance at that wheel.
Who's affected?
Spans three Saf-T-Liner bus lines across the 2010-2019 model years, all tied to the same brake system component.
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | brake system |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | brake system |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | brake system |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | brake system |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | brake system |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | brake system |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| Units affected | 11,546 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Dragging brakes can overheat the wheel end, which raises the risk of smoke or fire. If smoke or fire appears near a wheel, pull over safely and call the dealer before continuing the route. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, or Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free rear brake caliper replacement that fixes driver side rear brake drag.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one, and reference recall number 19V444 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service if the driver side rear brake drags, smokes, or overheats before the repair.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about the repair path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician installs a new brake caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism. This recall addresses driver-side rear brake drag on buses equipped with Bendix Air Disc Brakes. The recall repair is available now, and the caliper replacement is free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Ask the service desk to confirm the campaign applies to your VIN before the bus goes into the shop.
Timeline
| June 11, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 9, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 9, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 9, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 9, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V444?
Recall 19V444 covers 11,546 2010-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, and Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with Bendix air disc brakes. The driver-side rear brakes can drag, creating high wheel-end temperatures. Dealers will install a new caliper for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner Hdx, or Saf-T-Liner Efx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 19V444. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the caliper replacement. Reference recall number 19V444 or FL-818 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that dealers will install a new caliper with an updated clearance adjustment mechanism free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is heat buildup at the wheel end from dragging driver-side rear brakes. That heat increases the risk of smoke and fire. On a school bus, smoke or fire can force an evacuation, which increases the risk of injury.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began August 9, 2019. That means the dealer remedy is available now for included buses. A dealer will install the updated caliper, and owners can contact Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for recall support.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V444000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V444 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V444000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →