Recall 22V153 covers 539 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with passenger seat bolt clearance defects. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 539 2020-2023 Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses because passenger seat mounting bolts can break after contacting chassis cross member bolts. A seat with broken mounting bolts can fail to properly restrain a passenger in a crash, increasing injury risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger seat floor mounting bolt is the fastener that holds the seat base to the bus floor. On 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses, that bolt helps keep the passenger seat and seat belt anchorage in the designed position during normal use and during a crash.
On affected buses, a chassis cross-member bolt lines up too closely with a passenger seat floor mounting bolt. When the parts contact each other, that interference puts extra stress on the seat mounting bolt. Over time, that stress leads to fatigue and breakage. If the bolt breaks, the seat mounting no longer matches the federal requirements for seat belt anchorage and school bus passenger seating and crash protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is hidden at the seat mounting point, where the passenger seat floor mounting bolt contacts the chassis cross-member bolt.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2020-2023 model years of the same bus line, all tied to the seat assembly fastener.
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 539 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
Not every 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Broken passenger seat mounting bolts can keep the seat from restraining an occupant properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule dealer service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free spacer installation that restores clearance between the passenger seat mounting and chassis cross member bolts.
- Ask the dealer whether the bus has seating-use limits before the repair appointment.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one, or reference recall number 22V153 when you call.
- Keep the dealer repair order after the free repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The dealer repair is available now. At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician adds a spacer so the passenger seat mounting bolts have proper clearance from the chassis cross member bolts. That added clearance keeps the seat mounting hardware from contacting the chassis bolts and breaking. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the repair is free at a Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Timeline
| March 11, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 9, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| May 9, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 9, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 2, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V153?
Recall 22V153 covers 539 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school buses with passenger seat mounting bolts that can break from contact with chassis cross member bolts. Affected buses fail federal seat belt anchorage and school bus passenger seating standards. Dealers add a spacer for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 22V153. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the spacer installation. Reference recall number 22V153 or DTNA recall FL-921 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 recall remedy says dealers will add the needed spacer free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 22V153?
The risk is occupant injury in a crash. In recall 22V153, broken passenger seat mounting bolts can keep the seat from properly restraining an occupant during a crash. The dealer repair adds clearance so the passenger seat mounting no longer contacts the chassis cross member bolts.
When were owners notified about recall 22V153?
Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2022. If you own or operate a 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx school bus and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and contact a Thomas Built Buses dealer with recall number 22V153 or FL-921.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V153000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V153 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V153000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →