2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 Recall: CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30" OR 40"…
NHTSA campaign 05V397000 · Structure · filed Sep 13, 2005 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30" OR 40" LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR EXITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 17, 2004, AND JULY 28, 2005. THE TELESCOPING SLIDE THAT HOLDS THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR OPEN IS LOCATED SUCH THAT IT WILL MOVE PAST ITS NORMAL TRAVEL AND THE MECHANISM MAY LATCH ON THE END OF THE SLIDE PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM OPENING.
The risk
THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR MAY NOT OPEN IF THE LATCH MECHANISM IS IN THE INCORRECT POSITION. OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO USE THE FRONT ENTRY DOOR OR REAR EMERGENCY EXIT IF A SITUATION OCCURRED THAT REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
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
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS AT 1-336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-459.CUSTOMERS CAN 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 | 2005 |
Related recalls
More Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 recalls
- 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 MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL…
- 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 05V397000 (manufacturer number FL-459). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.