Thomas Built Buses FS-65 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
9,063 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 75.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Shoes/Linings | 1 |
| Steering:Column | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Steering: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Shoes/Linings: 1; Steering:Column: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10177048 · 2006-12-27 (December 27, 2006)
UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT NOT TIGHTENED/INSTALLED RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATING FROM MAIN STEERING SHAFT AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.NEW PINCH BOLT INSTALLED AND TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SUPPLIED TORQUE VALUES. SUPERFICIAL DAMGE TO SCHOOL BUS BODY REPAIRED WITH REPLACEMENT PARTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,625 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182069 · 2007-02-09 (February 9, 2007)
FRONT END SHAKE/SHIMMY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS, SO VIOLENT AT TIMES WILL TAKE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HANDS, ALSO UNIT HAS HARD PULL TO THE LEFT ALONG WITH FRONT END SHIMMY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182072 · 2007-02-09 (February 9, 2007)
FRONT END SHAKE/SHIMMY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS, SO VIOLENT AT TIMES WILL TAKE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HANDS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226823 · 2008-05-06 (May 6, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 THOMAS BUILT FS-65/ FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE PANELS AND CABLES LEADING TO THE FUSE PANELS BURNED IN THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE PANELS ON APPROXIMATELY 30 BUSES. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V544000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS), AND STATED THAT THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO THE FUSE PANELS AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,213 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226823 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 7; 2005: 9; 2006: 11; 2007: 9; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1