Recall 21V914 covers 1 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx bus missing electronic stability control. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 1 2020 Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit bus because the chassis was built without electronic stability control hardware and software. Missing stability control can make the bus harder to stabilize in certain driving situations and increase the risk of a crash; the Thomas Built Buses dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
Electronic stability control is the required hardware and software that helps a heavy bus stay stable when traction or direction changes quickly. On the 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx, that system works with the air disc brake system to detect instability and apply brake control automatically when the bus starts to skid, slide, or tip toward a loss of control.
The recalled bus was built without the electronic stability control hardware and software. The chassis was then placed into service where that equipment was required. That means the bus does not have the automatic stability assistance it was supposed to have under the heavy-vehicle safety standard.
An owner or driver will not see a broken part, fluid leak, or dashboard symptom that proves the system is missing during normal use. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
The same bus is listed under both the brake system and electronic stability control components.
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Without electronic stability control, the bus has less help correcting a skid or loss of traction, which increases the risk of a crash in those situations. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall work with a Thomas Built Buses dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free electronic stability control installation that adds the missing hardware and software.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V914 and recall FL909 when you call.
- Avoid abrupt steering and hard braking until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician installs the electronic stability control hardware and software that were missing from the chassis. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the dealer repair is free. The manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this specific repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices and payment documentation to the service desk, or contact DTNA customer service if the dealer asks for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 22, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 14, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 16, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| January 16, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 16, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V914?
Recall 21V914 covers 1 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx transit bus built without the required electronic stability control hardware and software. That means the vehicle does not meet the federal heavy-vehicle ESC standard, and a dealer will install the system for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether this specific bus is included in recall 21V914. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the electronic stability control installation. Reference DTNA recall number FL909 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 21V914 is a free dealer installation of the missing electronic stability control system.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V914?
The safety risk is reduced stability support in certain driving situations. NHTSA campaign 21V914 says a missing electronic stability control system can increase crash risk. The repair path is to have a dealer install the required ESC hardware and software for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V914000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V914 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V914000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →