2004–2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 Recall: CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES…
NHTSA campaign 05V387000 · Steering · filed Sep 6, 2005 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2004 AND AUGUST 26, 2005. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE BOLT, ALLOWING JOINT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WITHOUT WARNING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
ALL THOMAS BUILT AND FREIGHTLINER DEALERS AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS WERE CALLED ON AUGUST 26, 2005, AND NOTIFIED NOT TO DRIVE THESE BUSES UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE REMEDY PROCEDURE CALLS FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE STEERING PINCH BOLTS FOR THE PRESENCE OF TORQUE SEAL. BOLTS WITHOUT TORQUE SEAL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS AND TORQUE SEAL ADDED. FOLLOW UP NOTIFICATION BY MAIL BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-457.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas | Saf-T-Liner C2 | 2004, 2005 |
Related recalls
More Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 recalls
- 2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 — CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED…
- 2004–2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 — CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL…
- 2004 Freightliner Business Class M2 and 1 other model — CERTAIN MY 2004 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND THOMAS…
- 2004–2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 — CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MY 2004 AND 2005 SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL…
Other campaigns involving Thomas vehicles
- 2000–2001 Thomas Built Buses CL-960 and 6 other models — In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the…
- 1999 Thomas Built Buses Conventional and 8 other models — In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the…
- 2005–2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 and 9 other models — In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the…
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 05V387000 (manufacturer number FL-457). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.