Campaign 22V-688

Rear exterior side-body panel was manufactured with insufficient joint strength

Defect summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The rear exterior side-body panel was manufactured with insufficient joint strength. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Consequence

A school bus panel with insufficient joint strength may separate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will add additional mechanical fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 11, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL953.

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 22V688000. 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-688
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Thomas Built Buses	Saf-T-Liner HDX	2020 to 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

2 service bulletins 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