repaired · 2026 Q2
Other: labels
Risk. Emergency exit labels that are difficult to read can prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.
2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDXProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 21 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-510 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 24, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-t-liner HDX has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
1Power train1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 1 |
| Power train | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
21 recalls
2019 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 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.
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 · 2025 Q3
Seats
Risk. Cracked passenger seat frames may not adequately secure passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 17 more recalls
repaired · 2024 Q4
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2024 Q4
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Risk. A damaged power steering hose can leak, and increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Risk. A worn power steering hose increases the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Seats
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seats may not adequately protect the occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Fuel injection system: fuel rail
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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 · 2022 Q1
Disc: caliper
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Automatic transmission: torque converter
Risk. The loose bolts can become lodged in the starter, disabling the bus, resulting in an evacuation in an uncontrolled traffic situation, increasing the risk of an…
repaired · 2022 Q1
Seats
Risk. The lack of impact absorption increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Emergency: escape/egress/exit
Risk. If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of…
repaired · 2021 Q3
Emergency: escape/egress/exit
Risk. If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of…
repaired · 2021 Q2
Service brakes, air: disc
Risk. The dragging brakes may lead to high temperatures at the wheel end, increasing the risk of smoke and fire, possibly resulting in the bus having to be…
repaired · 2020 Q4
Steering
Risk. Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, affecting vehicle steering, and increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Disc: caliper
Risk. Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Disc: caliper
Risk. If the brake caliper mounting bolts come loose, braking performance may be reduced, increasing 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
2019 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
In owners' words
What Saf-t-liner HDX owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
It appears the battery cables were rubbing the transmission cooler lines and after an extended period caused a thermal event. it burned wiring harnesses, the DEF pump and lines and a good portion of battery cable. Had there been children on the bus at the time of the thermal event it could have…
Own a 2019 Saf-t-liner HDX?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.