Recall 21V714 covers 50 2022 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with fan pulley bolt defects. Free repair is available at franchised Thomas Built Buses dealers.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 50 2022 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses because the fan drive pulley assembly bolts are incorrect or improperly installed. A loose fan belt can disable the bus and force an evacuation in traffic, increasing injury risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The fan drive pulley assembly on a 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school bus is part of the engine cooling system. The pulley turns the fan belt, and the belt keeps the cooling fan moving so the engine can shed heat while the bus is running or idling. The mounting bolts hold that pulley in position under vibration and belt tension.
On affected buses, those mounting bolts are the wrong bolts or were installed incorrectly. If the bolts loosen or shear, the pulley shifts and the fan belt loses tension. Once the belt is loose, the cooling fan no longer works as designed, and the bus can become disabled instead of staying in service.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver heard noise on a parked, idling bus after the pulley had already shifted, so any unusual engine-area noise deserves prompt dealer attention.
Who's affected?
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Fan |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 50 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A disabled school bus can leave passengers needing evacuation near active traffic, increasing the risk of injury. Treat any breakdown tied to this recall as a traffic-safety event and schedule the inspection soon. 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 Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free fan drive pulley assembly bolt inspection and repair that prevents a loose fan belt and disabled bus.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V714 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-902 when you call.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the fan drive pulley assembly mounting bolts and repairs the assembly as needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. The work focuses on correcting incorrect or improperly installed bolts so the fan belt stays secure and the bus is not disabled by a loose belt. Ask the service desk how long the appointment is expected to take when you schedule the repair.
Timeline
| September 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 8, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| November 8, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 8, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V714?
Recall 21V714 covers 50 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with fan drive pulley assembly bolts that are incorrect or improperly installed. The bolts can loosen the fan belt and disable the bus. Thomas Built Buses dealers will inspect and repair the mounting bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 21V714. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the fan drive pulley assembly bolt inspection and repair. Reference recall 21V714 or DTNA recall number FL-902 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Thomas Built Buses dealers will inspect the fan drive pulley assembly mounting bolts and repair them as necessary, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a disabled school bus in traffic. If the fan belt loosens and the bus becomes disabled, passengers need evacuation in an uncontrolled traffic situation, which increases injury risk. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
When were owners notified about recall 21V714?
Owner notification letters were mailed on November 12, 2021. If you manage or bought a used 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, check your VIN even if no letter reached you. Ownership changes and fleet transfers affect who receives mailed notices.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V714000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V714 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V714000 |
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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →