Thomas Built Buses recall FL-709

Q: Is FL-709 the same recall as 16V326000?

Yes. FL-709 is Thomas Built Buses’s own number for it; 16V326000 is NHTSA’s. The manufacturer used the same number on 2 NHTSA filings, all listed above.

Thomas Built Buses calls it FL-709. NHTSA filed it as campaign 16V326000 and 1 other on May 19, 2016: power train on the 2011–2017 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX, 137 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 16V326000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
16V326000	2011–2017 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX	Power Train	May 19, 2016	43	moderate
16V325000	2011–2017 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX	Power Train	May 19, 2016	94	moderate

Problem Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX buses manufactured April 28, 2010, to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have a transmission retarder that may increase coolant system pressure high enough to cause hose fatigue and lead to premature failure of the hose, resulting in a coolant leak inside the bus body. Risk If the heater hose fails, hot coolant may leak inside the bus body increasing risk of injury to the passengers. Fix DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the heater hose, free of charge. DTNA distributed interim notifications to owners on July 6, 2016. The recall began on September 20, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-709.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 16V326000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. FL-709 is the number Thomas Built Buses assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 16V326000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is FL-709 the same recall as 16V326000?

Yes. FL-709 is Thomas Built Buses’s own number for it; 16V326000 is NHTSA’s. The manufacturer used the same number on 2 NHTSA filings, all listed above.

Which vehicles does FL-709 cover?

2011–2017 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner HDX, 137 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the FL-709 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.