Recall 26V408 affects 37 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 buses for entrance-door switch failure. Free repair once available.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 37 2026-2027 Saf-T-Liner HDX2 transit buses because the entrance door can fail to open or close when the switch is activated. A door stuck open or closed increases the risk of injury to occupants in a crash, and the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built Buses opens it.
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What's wrong?
The entrance door on the 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 uses a battery-operated solenoid system to move the door when the driver activates the switch. The relay is the small electrical timer in that system. Its normal job is to receive the switch signal and send power to the door solenoid for the right amount of time, so the entrance door opens or closes when commanded.
On affected buses, the relay and door switch do not match electrically. The relay is designed for a momentary input signal, but the door switch uses maintained contact. Under defined operating sequences, that mismatch causes improper timer relay behavior. The result is direct: the entrance door does not respond when the switch is activated, so the door stays open or stays closed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing a driver notices is the entrance door failing to open or close after the switch is activated.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2026 and 2027 Saf-T-Liner HDX2, with the same relay tied to wiring and door latch components.
| 2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 | Latch |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 | wiring |
| 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 | Latch |
| Units affected | 37 |
| 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?
A door that fails to open or close raises the risk of occupant injury in a crash. Before carrying passengers, confirm the door opens and closes normally. If it does not, contact the dealer for direction. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 is included in this recall.
- Wait for the Thomas Built Buses owner notice expected August 25, 2026; the remedy is still under development.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-574-0712 with questions, and reference recall number 26V408 when you call.
- Check the entrance door before each trip, and take the bus out of service if the door fails to open or close when the switch is activated.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer after the remedy opens to schedule the free repair.
What happens at the repair
Thomas Built Buses has not published the final repair procedure yet. Owner letters are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Once the repair opens, a Thomas Built Buses technician will correct the entrance door switch or door operation issue covered by the recall, and parts and labor will be free. The manufacturer used its general reimbursement plan on file, so keep documentation for any related entrance door repair already paid out of pocket and ask customer service or the dealer how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 16, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V408?
Recall 26V408 covers 37 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 transit buses. The entrance door has a switch or latch issue that can leave it unable to open or close when activated, increasing injury risk to occupants in a crash.
What should I do if my 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 26V408. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask how they are handling the entrance-door remedy while the final repair is still under development.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost once the remedy is available. Thomas Built Buses is still developing the entrance-door repair, so ask the dealer to document your bus and notify you when scheduling opens.
When will owners be notified about recall 26V408?
Thomas Built Buses expects to mail owner notification letters on August 25, 2026. The notice should explain the next repair step once the remedy is ready. You can also call customer service at 1-800-574-0712 and reference recall F1035.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V408000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-574-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V408 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V408000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on July 13, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →