Thomas Built Buses recall FL973

Q: Is FL973 the same recall as 23V333000?

Yes. FL973 is Thomas Built Buses’s own number for it; 23V333000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Thomas Built Buses calls it FL973. NHTSA filed it as campaign 23V333000 on May 9, 2023: structure on the 2021–2024 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 and 1 other Thomas Built Buses model, 23,590 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 23V333000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
23V333000	2021–2024 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 and 1 other Thomas Built Buses model	Structure	May 9, 2023	23,590	high

Problem Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 and 2021-2023 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 Jouley school buses. A rear interior joint may have been manufactured incorrectly, resulting in 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." Risk A school bus with insufficient joint strength may not adequately protect passengers in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will add additional fasteners to secure the joints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-574-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL973.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 23V333000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. FL973 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. 23V333000 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 FL973 the same recall as 23V333000?

Yes. FL973 is Thomas Built Buses’s own number for it; 23V333000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does FL973 cover?

2021–2024 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 and 1 other Thomas Built Buses model, 23,590 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 FL973 repair cost anything?

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