Recall 22V762 covers 2011-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with weak roof joints. Dealer repair is free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 17,613 2011-2023 Saf-T-Liner Efx and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses because the exterior roof panel was built with insufficient joint strength. In a crash, that panel can separate and increase injury risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The roof sheet panel on 2011-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses forms the outer skin of the bus roof. The lap joint is the overlap where steel roof panels meet, and adhesive at that overlap helps those panels hold together as part of the bus body. On a school bus, those body joints are supposed to keep their strength when the structure is stressed.
On affected buses, the adhesive between certain roof panels was not applied correctly at the lap joint. That leaves the joint with insufficient strength, so the roof panel connection does not meet the federal school bus body joint strength standard. The issue comes from manufacturing variability in the joint, not from a normal wear item an owner can inspect during routine service.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a noise, warning light, or visible roof change to appear before the joint strength problem matters.
Who's affected?
Spans both Saf-T-Liner Efx and Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses across the 2011-2023 model years, with the roof sheet panel tied to the body structure scope.
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx | body structure |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | body structure |
| Units affected | 17,613 |
| 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 in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the exterior roof panel joints are not strong enough, a roof panel can separate during a crash and increase injury risk for passengers. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially before the bus returns to regular route service. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx or Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free fastener repair that secures the exterior roof panel joints.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 22V762 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the bus should stay out of passenger service until the roof-panel joint repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician adds additional mechanical fasteners to the exterior roof panel joints so the joints are secured as required. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Thomas Built Buses is offering a refund for owner paid repairs covered by this recall when the repair was completed before the date listed in the reimbursement plan. Take your repair paperwork to an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask the service desk to submit the reimbursement request.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 12, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 10, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| December 10, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 10, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 2, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V762?
Recall 22V762 covers 17,613 2011-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx and Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with exterior roof panels that have insufficient joint strength. In a crash, the panel can separate and increase injury risk. Dealers will add mechanical fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Efx or Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 22V762. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the roof-panel joint repair. Reference recall number 22V762 or DTNA recall FL957 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and DTNA says dealers will add the needed mechanical fasteners free of charge. The work must be performed by a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 22V762?
The safety risk is roof-panel separation during a crash. NHTSA campaign 22V762 says the exterior roof panel has insufficient joint strength, which can increase injury risk if the bus is involved in a crash. The dealer repair secures the joints with added mechanical fasteners.
When were owners notified about recall 22V762?
DTNA mailed owner notification letters on June 2, 2023. If you manage or bought a covered bus after that date and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer with recall number 22V762 or FL957.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V762000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V762 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V762000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →