Recall 22V418 covered 185 2021-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley buses for high-voltage battery cable connection defects. Thomas Built Buses says all were remedied.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 185 2021-2023 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric school buses because a high voltage battery cable connection defect can cause loss of electrical power or a ground short circuit. The failure can shut down the bus, force an evacuation in traffic, or raise fire risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The high voltage battery cable on 2021-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric buses carries power from the battery pack through the propulsion electrical system. Its ring terminal connector is the metal end that fastens the cable inside the high voltage junction box. That connection has to stay tight so current moves through the designed path.
On affected buses, the ring terminal on the high voltage cable was not crimped correctly. A crimp is the compressed connection between the cable and its metal terminal. If that connection separates inside the junction box, the bus can lose electrical power or develop a ground short circuit. The suspect cable end sits behind an access panel, and checking it requires decommissioning the high voltage system by trained personnel.
Drivers or maintenance staff can see power flickering if the cable begins to separate. The crimp itself is unlikely to be spotted during a normal pre-trip inspection because it is inside the covered high voltage junction box.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley buses, all with the same electric propulsion system cable.
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| Units affected | 185 |
| 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?
Unexpected engine shutdown can increase crash risk. Power flickering can signal cable separation, but the suspect crimp is not easy to inspect during normal pre-trip checks because the high-voltage system must be decommissioned first. If power flickers, take the bus out of service and contact the dealer. A ground short circuit can increase fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm the high-voltage battery cable connection repair is complete, or to schedule the free repair if it has not been done.
- Reference recall number 22V418 and DTNA recall FL939 when you call.
- Avoid using the bus for passenger service until the dealer confirms the battery cable connection is secure.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about repair status or reimbursement for owner-paid repairs.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the high voltage battery cable connection and repairs or replaces the cable if needed. The recall filing says all vehicles covered by recall 22V418 have already been remedied, so owner notification letters are not necessary. The recall work is free, with parts and labor covered. If you paid out of pocket for a repair covered by this recall before the reimbursement plan date, seek a refund through an authorized dealer and bring documentation for the paid repair.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 9, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
| August 6, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| August 6, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 6, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V418?
Recall 22V418 covers 185 2021-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric buses with a high-voltage battery cable connection problem. The cable connection can cause loss of electrical power or a ground short circuit. Thomas Built Buses says all affected buses have been remedied.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 22V418. If the recall still shows open, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Reference recall 22V418 and DTNA recall number FL939 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 22V418, Thomas Built Buses says all affected buses have already been remedied, so no owner notification letters were necessary.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of electrical power, a ground short circuit, fire risk, and passenger risk if a disabled school bus needs evacuation in traffic. The official consequence for recall 22V418 says unexpected shutdown increases crash risk and a ground short circuit increases fire risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V418000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V418 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V418000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →