Recall 20V806 covers 278 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with loose or missing brake tie bars. Franchised dealers repair them free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 278 2022 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses because hydraulic caliper tie bar support fasteners were improperly tightened or the tie bar was missing. A dangling tie bar can contact rotating wheel-end components or damage brake parts as they flex, raising crash risk, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The caliper tie bar on the 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is part of the hydraulic disc brake caliper on the steer axle. The caliper is the brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor when brake fluid pressure rises. The tie bar helps hold that caliper assembly in the right position while the front brakes apply force.
On affected buses, the tie bar support fasteners were not tightened correctly, or the tie bar was left out during assembly. Without the correct clamp load, the caliper assembly does not have the support it was designed to have. That leaves the front brake hardware vulnerable to movement under braking load instead of staying fixed and applying pressure cleanly.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on a warning light, noise, or change in pedal feel before the brake hardware problem shows up.
Who's affected?
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 278 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A dangling tie bar can touch rotating wheel-end parts or brake parts can flex and become damaged, increasing the risk of a crash. If the bus feels, steers, or brakes abnormally, stop using it and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free steer-axle hydraulic caliper tie-bar inspection and fastener repair.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V806 and DTNA recall FL-871 when you call.
- Limit use until the inspection is complete, and leave extra stopping distance because the defect affects steer-axle brake caliper hardware.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects both steer axle wheel ends to confirm the four tie bar mounting fasteners are tightened correctly. If a required tie bar is missing, the technician checks the caliper anchor mounts, brake pad slide pins, and pad movement before installing the tie bar. All recall repairs are free, including parts and labor. The owner notification letter explains the reimbursement plan for related repairs already paid before the recall notice.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 21, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| February 18, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 18, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 18, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V806?
Recall 20V806 covers 278 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses with hydraulic caliper tie bar support fasteners on the steer axles that were not properly tightened or had a missing tie bar. Dealers inspect both steer axle wheel-ends and complete the needed repair for free.
What should I do if my 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 20V806. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask for the FL-871 recall inspection. The dealer checks both steer axle wheel-ends and completes the repair for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V806, Thomas Built Buses dealers inspect both steer axle wheel-ends, tighten the tie bar mounting fasteners, and install a missing tie bar when required for free.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V806?
The safety risk is crash-related. In recall 20V806, a dangling tie bar can contact rotating wheel-end components, or brake parts can flex and become damaged. Either condition increases crash risk, so confirm the VIN and have the dealer complete the free inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V806000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V806 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V806000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →