repaired · 2025 Q1
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A school bus exterior roof panel with insufficient joint strength may separate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDXProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 0 owner complaints about the 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX. It is covered by 23 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-083 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 12, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX has problems
0 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
23 recalls
2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Seats: barriers
Risk. Occupants may collide with the front seat barriers with more force than intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Other: labels
Risk. Small lettering may be difficult for occupants to read, delaying the reaction time to open the exit, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Equipment
Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Show 19 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Risk. If the heater hose fails, hot coolant may leak inside the bus body increasing risk of injury to the passengers.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. If the heater hose fails, hot coolant may leak inside the bus body increasing risk of injury to the passengers.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Body: door
Risk. If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Body: door
Risk. If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. The sensor malfunction could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a…
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. The sensor malfunction could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a…
no report yet
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE.
no report yet
Appliance: air conditioner
Risk. IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Appliance: air conditioner
Risk. IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Thomas Built Buses.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Saf-t-liner HDX year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Saf-t-liner HDX median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX, and the recalls they led to.
- Thomas Built CNG Tank AbrasionNo recall
Own a 2011 Saf-t-liner HDX?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.