Recall 23V846 covers 701 2021-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley buses for inverter-cable fasteners. Repair will be free once available.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 701 2021-2025 Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric school buses because an improperly secured high voltage inverter cable can cause a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses opens the remedy.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The high voltage junction box on 2021-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses is the power distribution unit for the electric propulsion system. It houses the connection for the high voltage inverter cable. That cable carries propulsion power to the inverter, the electronics that feed the electric drive system.
On affected buses, fasteners at the joint between the high voltage inverter cable and its hardware were not tightened enough during production. A loose connection at that joint can interrupt power flow inside the high voltage junction box. When that connection opens, the bus can lose drive power.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not given a detectable symptom before the connection problem leads to loss of drive power.
Who's affected?
Covers one electric bus model across the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years, all tied to the electric propulsion system.
| 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| 2022 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| 2024 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | electric propulsion system |
| Units affected | 701 |
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?
A loss of drive power can leave the bus without propulsion and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so contact a Thomas Built Buses dealer for recall guidance and keep operators alert for sudden power loss while driving. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Thomas Built Buses owner letter mailed starting February 1, 2024; use your VIN result if the letter never reached you.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask about the free high-voltage inverter-cable fastener inspection and tightening that secures the cable linked to loss of drive power.
- Reference recall number 23V846 and DTNA recall FL987 when you call the dealer.
- Drive with caution until the dealer gives repair instructions, and pull over safely if the bus loses drive power.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development, so do not assume the bus can be scheduled for the completed recall work yet. Once available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will inspect the high voltage inverter cable fasteners and tighten them as needed. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related repair, seek reimbursement through an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer. Bring the repair paperwork the dealer asks for.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 14, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 12, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| February 12, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 12, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V846?
Recall 23V846 covers 701 2021-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric school buses with a high-voltage inverter cable that is not secured properly. The defect can cause a loss of drive power, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021-2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V846. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer for the inspection and fastener tightening. Reference recall number 23V846 or DTNA recall FL987 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and DTNA says dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners for free. The free repair applies through a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk for this recall?
The safety risk is loss of drive power. DTNA reported that an unsecured high-voltage inverter cable can lead to loss of drive power, which increases the risk of a crash. The recall filing does not include a do-not-drive instruction.
When were owners notified about recall 23V846?
DTNA mailed owner notification letters starting February 1, 2024. If your bus changed owners, or if the notice never reached the right fleet contact, use the VIN to confirm whether the specific Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V846000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V846 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V846000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →