Recall 23V669 covers 20,668 2019-2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, C2 Jouley, and C2 Joley buses for loose emergency-exit-door fasteners. Dealer repair is free.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 20,668 2019-2024 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses because fasteners for the emergency exit door can loosen and detach, letting the door open unexpectedly. That door failure can increase injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The emergency exit door latch on affected 2019-2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, and Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley school buses is supposed to keep the rear emergency door secured until the driver or passengers intentionally release it. The vandal lock is part of that latch system, and the latch fasteners hold the mechanism tight to the door.
On these buses, the fasteners for the emergency door latch with the vandal lock variant can loosen and fully detach from the latch mechanism. If all three fasteners detach and heavy pressure is applied to the door, the emergency exit door can open unexpectedly. That creates an injury risk for people in or near the bus.
Drivers have two chances to catch the problem before a trip. The vandal lock must be manually disengaged before the bus is driven, and the emergency exit door is opened and closed during the daily pre-trip inspection. Missing bolts or a door that opens with less force than usual are warning signs.
Who's affected?
Covers Saf-T-Liner C2 variants from 2019 through 2024, all using the same emergency door latch with vandal lock.
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | body or structural component |
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| 2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley | body or structural component |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley | body or structural component |
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley | body or structural component |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| 2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 20,668 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
An emergency exit door that opens unexpectedly increases the risk of injury. Drivers should use the daily pre-trip inspection to check for missing bolts and reduced opening force, because those signs point to loose door hardware. If either sign appears, pull the bus from service and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, or Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask when the emergency-exit-door fastener inspection and tightening repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 23V669 and DTNA recall FL982 when you call.
- Keep the emergency exit door area clear until the dealer inspects and tightens the fasteners that prevent the door from opening unexpectedly.
- Bring the owner letter Thomas Built Buses mailed if you have it; the dealer repair is free once the repair is open for your VIN.
What happens at the repair
Because the repair strategy is still being developed, confirm availability before sending the bus in. Once the repair opens, a Thomas Built Buses technician at an authorized service facility will inspect the emergency exit door fasteners and tighten them as needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. DTNA says reimbursement details are included in the owner notification letter and owners should seek reimbursement through authorized dealers. If you already paid for a related emergency exit door repair, ask the dealer how to submit your repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 3, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 2, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| December 2, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 2, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 2, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V669?
Recall 23V669 covers 20,668 2019-2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, and Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley school buses. Emergency exit door fasteners can loosen and detach, allowing the door to open unexpectedly and increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2019-2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, or Saf-T-Liner C2 Joley is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V669. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer for inspection and fastener tightening. Reference recall number 23V669 or DTNA recall FL982 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost. For recall 23V669, dealers will inspect and tighten the emergency exit door fasteners free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an emergency exit door opening unexpectedly. NHTSA campaign 23V669 states that an unexpected door opening increases the risk of injury. The dealer repair addresses the fasteners that can loosen and detach.
When were owners notified about recall 23V669?
Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2023. If you manage or own one of these buses and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V669000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V669 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V669000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →