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Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2Model year report

2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
25,792miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
27campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages (1) and other or unknown (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,792 miles. NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns and 175 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 6 recall campaigns covering the switch and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Latches, locks and linkages complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “As the bus driver pulled into the bus garage, he noticed his brake warning light on. I checked the brake fluid and found it low. I applied constant pressure to the brake pedal then inspected the brake system. The brake line running down from the master cylinder inside the frame rail was leaking. This line had a hole rubbed in it by the fuel line coming from the water separator. The fuel line was routed across the top of the brake line allowing it to rub. …”

NHTSA complaint #10383939, filed 2011-02, 25,792 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “In the process of replacing the emergency exit doors on the 2007-2008 model SAF-T-LINER C2 buses owned by sc department of education the fleet discovered corrosion related degradation of shaft to the outside door handle. It is believed that water is getting past the foam washer positioned between the exterior handle and the door skin. The contact is concerned that degradation to the strength of the shaft could cause it to fail in the event of an emergency and delay evacuation. Updated 02/17/12 updated 02/22/12”

NHTSA complaint #10446515, filed 2012-02

Other or unknown: “There is a plastic fitting at the rear heater that is failing which causes hot anti-freeze to spill into the passenger area of the school bus. This has happened on three buses in the past two weeks. Hot anti-freeze can cause injury to the students that are being transported.”

NHTSA complaint #10926403, filed 2016-11, 127,000 miles

Seats: “The contact has a fleet that includes 18 my2000-2008 thomas school buses. All have exhibited multiple failures to passenger seatbacks; the seat pan becomes detached from the seat frame. The contact is concerned that a damaged seat may not perform its role in compartmentalization as intended by fmvss 222. The contact further alleged that seats which have received the remedy described in thomas service bulletin 16a (seatback pan is riveted to seat frame) are no less likely to fail again and many of them have. Other non-thomas school buses in his fleet do not experience this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10459446, filed 2012-05

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,485 and 127,000 miles.

0%0–1033%10–2533%25–500%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 25,792 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20082011201222016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 27 recalls for the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 175 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 175 bulletins →

Other model years of the Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2008525,79227———Not enough data

All Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages with 1.

Has the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,792 miles and the middle half falls between 21,485 and 127,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.