Thomas Built Buses EF recalls by model year

Reported: 2006-04-25 (April 25, 2006) · Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006

CERTAIN MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 THOMAS BUILT HDX, EF, AND FS-65 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 4, 2004, AND FEBRUARY 14, 2006. THE BODY POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (PDM) WAS MANUFACTURED WITH COPPER CIRCUITS THAT ARE TOO THIN FOR THE ELECTRICAL LOADS ENCOUNTERED, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE BOARD TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence: IF THE PDM OVERHEATS IT MAY GENERATE SMOKE AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE PDM'S THIN COPPER CIRCUITS WITH THICKER COPPER CIRCUITS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-877-660-4938.

Reported: 2007-03-23 (March 23, 2007) · Model years: 2006, 2007

CERTAIN MY 2006 AND 2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS-65, C2, HDX, AND EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 6 AND SEPTEMBER 6, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR PLATFORM LIFT MODELS S2003, S2005, S2010, S5503, S5505, S5510, K2003, K2005, K2010, K5503, K5505, K5510. THE LIFTS INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE PLATFORM LIFT WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT NOT DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE RICON WHEELCHAIR PLATFORM LIFT. IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE WHEELCHAIR'S OCCUPANT. ALSO, ANYONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE AND FALL, RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 6, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 800-385-4357 OR CONTACT RICON AT 800-322-2884.

Reported: 2011-10-26 (October 26, 2011) · Model years: 2011, 2012

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011 AND 2012 THOMAS BUILT EF AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 26, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 9, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECTAL INDUSTRIES EMERGENCY VERTICAL PUSH OUT WINDOWS. INCORRECT RIVETS MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE HANDLES THAT AN OCCUPANT WOULD USE TO OPEN THE WINDOW IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE PART NUMBERS FOR THE THOMAS BUILT BUSES ARE: 167977, 167982, 167985, 167990, 168005, 168006, 168025, 168027, 168028, AND 168035.

Consequence: IF THE HANDLE IS ACTUATED DURING A NON-EMERGENCY SITUATION AND DETACHES, THE EMERGENCY WINDOW CANNOT BE RE-SECURED, POSING A RISK THAT CHILDREN MAY FALL OR CLIMB OUT. HOWEVER, IF THE HANDLE WERE TO DETACH DURING AN EMERGENCY, THE EXIT WINDOW WILL OPEN AND EGRESS THROUGH THE WINDOW WILL NOT BE HINDERED.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DAIMLER TRUCKS AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.