Campaign 22V-517

Buses may not have a sufficient number of emergency exits

Defect summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX school buses. The buses may not have a sufficient number of emergency exits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits And Window Retention And Release."

Consequence

An insufficient number of emergency exits can delay passengers from exiting the vehicle during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will add an emergency exit roof hatch, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact DTNA's customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL947.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 22V517000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

One product line is covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about structure on these vehicles: 0, of which 0 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 22V-517
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Thomas Built Buses	Saf-T-Liner EFX	2023	0

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

No NHTSA investigation is linked to this recall

Most recalls are started by the manufacturer. This one lists "Manufacturer" as its origin.

Before the recall

1 service bulletin on this component came first

Distinct manufacturer communications on the same component group, make, model and model year in the 24 months before the report date.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications file.

Service bulletins

26V-388 Jun 12, 2026
Front and mid-body interior joints may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in insufficient joint strength
25V-694 Oct 10, 2025
Rear exterior joints may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in insufficient joint strength
24V-478 Jun 26, 2024
Audible emergency warning alarm sounds may not activate when the emergency hatch or window is open
23V-843 Dec 13, 2023
Rear interior joint between the bulkhead and window panel may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in insufficient joint strength
23V-670 Oct 3, 2023
Fasteners for the emergency exit door may loosen and detach, which can allow the emergency exit door to open unexpectedly
23V-669 Oct 3, 2023
Fasteners for the emergency exit door may loosen and detach, which can allow the emergency exit door to open unexpectedly