Recall 21V462 covers 9 2018-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with incorrect passenger seats. Free repair at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 9 2018-2022 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses because an incorrect passenger seat configuration does not provide the required seat back protection. In a crash, that seating issue increases injury risk for occupants, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will correct the buses free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger seats on 2018-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses are part of the crash-protection system, not just places to sit. In a school bus, the seat backs help create a protected space for passengers by absorbing and managing movement during a crash. That protection depends on the seat layout, spacing, and seat-back position matching the federal school bus seating standard.
On affected buses, the Davenport seating option was installed in certain passenger seat combinations that did not provide the required amount of seat back protection. Thomas Built Buses found the issue after reviewing build records for buses with bucket-style passenger seats and another seat combination. The problem is the configuration, so the seat hardware itself is not described as breaking or wearing out.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet operator would not see a dashboard light or feel a driving change tied to this seat configuration.
Who's affected?
Covers the Saf-T-Liner Hdx across 5 model years, all tied to the Davenport seating option and seat assembly component.
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 9 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the rear passenger seats can provide less occupant protection than designed, increasing injury risk. The defect involves crash protection, not normal drivability, so confirm the seat replacement by VIN and service record before continued use. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm the free rear passenger-seat replacement that corrects the seatback-protection issue is complete.
- Reference recall number 21V462 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-892 when you call.
- Bring any service records for the bus so the dealer can verify the seat replacement was completed.
- Keep the bus out of passenger service until the dealer confirms the seat configuration has the recall repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the rear passenger seats covered by recall 21V462. The repair corrects the passenger seat configuration so the seat backs provide the required crash protection for passengers. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. DTNA reported that no owner notification letter would be distributed because all units were repaired on August 12, 2021. If you manage one of these buses and the seat repair is still unclear in the service history, ask an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility to confirm completion.
Timeline
| June 17, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 9, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 9, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 9, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V462?
Recall 21V462 covers 9 2018-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses built with an incorrect passenger seat configuration. The issue affects rear passenger seat-back protection in a crash. Dealers replace the rear passenger seats for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific school bus is included in recall 21V462. If it is, ask a Thomas Built Buses dealer or DTNA customer service to verify that the rear passenger seat replacement was completed. Reference recall FL-892 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and DTNA's remedy says dealers replace the rear passenger seats free of charge. Parts and labor are covered through the recall.
What is the safety risk for this seat recall?
The safety risk is reduced occupant protection in a crash. The affected school buses had an incorrect passenger seat configuration that did not provide the required amount of seat-back protection, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
What if I never received an owner letter for this recall?
DTNA reported that no owner notification was distributed because all 9 affected buses were repaired on August 12, 2021. If you manage or bought one of these buses later, check your VIN and ask DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to confirm completion.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V462000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V462 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V462000 |
Source documents
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Download Misc. Document (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →