Recall 25V602 covers 36 2025-2026 Saf-T-Liner C2 and C2 Jouley school buses for loose brake caliper bolts. Free dealer repair.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 36 2025-2026 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses because brake caliper mounting bolts can loosen and detach. That can cause loss of brake function or damage a tire or wheel, raising crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front brake caliper mounting bolts on 2025-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses hold the brake caliper in place at the wheel end. The caliper is the brake part that squeezes the pads against the disc when the driver applies the air brake system. Those bolts need the correct torque so the caliper stays fixed while the bus slows or stops.
On affected buses, some axles went through a rework process without documentation confirming final brake caliper bolt torque. That means the bolts on those axle assemblies were not confirmed tight enough before release. A loose bolt can back out and detach, letting the caliper shift out of position. If that happens, brake function at that wheel can be lost, and the loose hardware or caliper can damage the tire or wheel.
Drivers can hear clunking or rattling at the wheel end during brake applications. That noise is the warning sign to report before the bus is used again.
Who's affected?
Covers both the Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley across the 2025 and 2026 model years; both use the same front disc brake caliper bolt named in the recall.
| 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | brake system |
| 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | brake system |
| 2025 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | brake system |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | brake system |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley | brake system |
| Units affected | 36 |
| 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.
What's the safety risk?
Brake loss can increase the risk of a crash. A damaged wheel or tire can also lead to loss of vehicle control and a crash. Listen for clunking or rattling at the wheel end during braking, and call the dealer for instructions if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner letter mailed November 10, 2025, or use recall number 25V602 when you call.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask when the free brake-caliper bolt inspection and repair is ready to schedule.
- Schedule the brake-caliper bolt inspection and repair that secures the loose mounting bolts tied to loss of brake function and tire or wheel damage.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference recall number 25V602 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop using the bus if braking changes or wheel damage appears.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer remedy is available, a Thomas Built Buses technician will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and replace or tighten them as needed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid for brake caliper bolt work related to recall 25V602, DTNA's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring the repair order and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 11, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 1, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 10, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V602?
Recall 25V602 covers 36 2025-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school buses. The brake caliper mounting bolts can loosen and detach, causing loss of brake function or wheel and tire damage. Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 25V602. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the brake caliper bolt inspection and repair. Reference recall F1023 or 25V602 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recalled safety defects at no cost, and DTNA says dealers will inspect and replace or tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking or loss of vehicle control. If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen and detach, the bus can lose brake function. A damaged wheel or tire can also lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk.
When were owners notified about recall 25V602?
DTNA mailed owner notification letters on November 10, 2025. If you manage or own one of these school buses and never received a letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V602000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V602 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V602000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →