Daimler Trucks Recalls Thomas Built Buses Due to Hot Coolant Leak Risk
Areazine synthesizes this NHTSA vehicle recall directly from NHTSA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling over 2,800 school buses because improperly tightened heater hose clamps could leak hot coolant into the passenger compartment.
What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by NHTSA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Vehicle Recalls - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, nhtsa, school-buses.
What Happened
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling specific Thomas Built Buses school buses due to a manufacturing defect in the cooling system. The heater hose clamps on these vehicles may not have been tightened properly. This condition can cause the hose to disconnect, resulting in hot heating coolant leaking inside the passenger compartment.
Which Products Are Affected
The recall involves approximately 2,843 units. The following models and years are affected:
- Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX: Model years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
- Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX: Model years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Official identification numbers for this recall include NHTSA Campaign Number 26V086000 and DTNA recall number F1030.
What You Should Do
DTNA is currently developing a remedy for the loose hose clamps. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 14, 2026. In the meantime, owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to discuss the recall and any safety concerns.
Why This Matters
This defect poses a significant safety risk to passengers. Contact with hot heating coolant can cause serious burns to occupants, increasing the likelihood of injury inside the vehicle.
Source
This information is based on official reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗
Related Vehicle Recalls
All Vehicle Recalls →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this NHTSA vehicle recall.