2023-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2023-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX recall: Heater Hose May Leak Hot Heating Coolant Inside Passenger Compartment
Report received by NHTSA: Feb. 14, 2026.
Built by the Tribune's code from NHTSA's official records. No AI wrote this page. Updated Nov. 4, 2026.
- What's recalled
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain Thomas Built Buses 2023-2026 Saf-T-Liner EFX and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The heater hose clamps may not have been tightened properly, causing the hose to disconnect and leak heating coolant inside the passenger compartment.
- The risk
Contact with hot heating coolant may burn occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
- Who's affected
2,843 vehicles potentially affected, according to NHTSA. Models: 2023-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2023-2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX.
- Compared with
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC has 20 NHTSA recalls in 2026 so far, compared with 15 in all of 2025.
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- Before this
290 earlier NHTSA recalls by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC since Nov. 1, 2016; the 5 most recent:
- Feb. 11, 2026 2020-2027 Western Star 49X, 2021-2027 Western Star 47X recall: Improper Battery Connection May Cause Fire
- Dec. 9, 2025 2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley recall: Wheelchair Restraint Retractor May Not Lock (agency record)
- Dec. 9, 2025 2025-2027 Thomas Built Buses Minotour DRW, 2026-2027 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley and 2 more models recall: Wheelchair Restraint Retractor May Not Lock (agency record)
- Nov. 5, 2025 2020-2026 Freightliner 108SD, 2020-2026 Freightliner 114SD, 2020-2026 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 5 more models recall: Loss of Vehicle Control from Loose Axle Clamp Fasteners (agency record)
- Nov. 5, 2025 Daimler Trucks North America, LLC equipment recall: Loss of Vehicle Control from Loose Axle Clamp Fasteners (agency record)
Counted by the Tribune from NHTSA's records since Nov. 1, 2016.
- What to do and when
Dealers will inspect and replace the heater hose clamps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1030.
NHTSA's record, word for word
- Check it yourself
NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether a specific vehicle has an open recall.
Models in this recall
- Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX 2023-2026
- Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX 2023-2026
The record as NHTSA published it
| NHTSA recall number | 26V086000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Daimler Trucks North America, LLC |
| Recall type | Vehicle |
| Component | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING |
| Report received by NHTSA | Feb. 14, 2026 |
| Potentially affected | 2,843 vehicles |
| Manufacturer's recall number | F1030 |
| “Do not drive” warning | No |
| Fire risk when parked (“park outside”) | No |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall records (public domain). NHTSA's record