2007 Thomas Built Buses C2: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 THOMAS BUILT C2. THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR IS DEFECTIVE AND BLOCKS THE VIEW OF ONCOMING VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD SEND A NEW BRACKET TO PLACE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE DEFECT. THE BRACKET WOULD COST BETWEEN $80 TO $100. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,621 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 438.

Owner-reported narrative. 438 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207324 at NHTSA ↗

OUR THOMAS C-2 BUSES HAVE STUDENT CROSSING MIRRORS THAT WILL NOT HOLD ADJUSTMENT. THE BRACKETS CONTINUALLY BREAK AND THE HOOD MOUNTS PULL OUT. THE MIRRORS USED ARE ROSCO HAWEYE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10235455 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2 BUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE EXTERIOR REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V205000 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR) REGARDING THE AIR MANAGE UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10275227 at NHTSA ↗

TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATOR LEAKED CAUSING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR. ANTI-FREEZE BACK FLUSHED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CONTAMINATION AND TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST $5,751.00 TO A BUS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 30,000 MILES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299614 at NHTSA ↗

THOMAS C2 - AMU PARK BRAKE SWITCH, 2007-2008 YEAR MODELS PROBLEM: MY OFFICE RECEIVED REPORTS FROM SCDE MAINTENANCE FACILITIES OF CONTINUED FAILURES WITH THE AIR BRAKE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AIR MANAGEMENT UNIT (AMU). THE FAILURE MODE OF CURRENT CONCERN IS WITH THE PARK BRAKE SWITCH IN THE AMU. THIS FAILURE MODE PREVENTS THE RELEASE OF THE PARK BRAKES. THE SCDE OPERATES 879 OF THESE UNITS. CONCERN: WHEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER RELEASE THE PARK BRAKES. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS ARE TRAINED TO SET THE PARK BRAKES EACH TIME T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10394908 at NHTSA ↗

SOMETHING BROKE THE LOWER SIDE DASH WINDOW LT SIDE. THE GLASS IS BONDED TO THE FRAME WITH A RUBBER LIKE SUBSTANCE. THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPERED GLASS WHICH NORMALLY BREAK INTO SMALL SQUARES AND ARE FAIRLY HARMLESS. THIS WINDOW BROKE INTO SHARP STICK LIKE SHARDS RADIATING AROUND THE FRACTURE SITE AT THE TOP AREA WHERE THE GLASS WAS BONDED TO THE FRAME. THIS IS THE FIRST WINDOW BREAK WE HAVE HAD ON A C2 AND WE WERE ALARMED AT THE FAILURE OF THE GLASS TO DISINTEGRATE INTO THE USUAL SMALL SQUARES. DOES THE BONDING HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 93,924 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496563 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-06-12 (June 12, 2006)

CERTAIN HEAVY TRUCKS, SHUTTLE BUSES, AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MODULATED SPRING BRAKE VALVES. A DEFECT IN THE MODULATED SPRING BRAKE VALVE CASTING MAY CAUSE AN INTERMITTENT DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE PARK BRAKE.

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY ROLLAWAY WITHOUT WARNING, POSSIBLY CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2006 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FCCC OWNERS. THOMAS BUILT MAILED LETTERS TO OWNERS BEGINNING JULY 27, 2006. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED (REPLACED) BY RECALL 07V302 (FL-504).

Reported: 2006-12-29 (December 29, 2006)

CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT 2006 AND 2007 C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 21, 2005, AND SEPTEMBER 4, 2006. THE STOP ARM MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Consequence: A NON-DEPLOYING STOP ARM MAY ENCOURAGE MOTORISTS TO PASS THE SCHOOL BUS DURING PICK-UP OR DISCHARGE OF CHILDREN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CALL THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-01-04 (January 4, 2007)

CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT 2006 AND 2007 C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 21, 2005, AND SEPTEMBER 4, 2006. THE INLET AIR FITTING WELDED TO THE BASE PLATE WAS MANUFACTURED INCONSISTENTLY, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE FITTING TO SEPARATE. SEPARATION OF THE INLET FITTING WILL PREVENT THE ACTUATING AIR FROM POWERING THE CROSSING ARM AND MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Consequence: A NON-DEPLOYING CROSSING ARM ALLOWS SOME STUDENT PASSENGERS TO NOT BE VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER AS THEY CROSS IN FRONT OF THE BUS DURING PICK-UP OR DISCHARGE, PRESENT A RISK TO THEM.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CALL THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-03-23 (March 23, 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: 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 1,419 MY 2006 THROUGH 2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 7, 2005 AND MAY 27, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR THOMAS BUILT 1-336-889-4871.

Reported: 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,250 MY 2006 AND 2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS65, C2, HDX, AND MVP EF SCHOOL BUSES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 9, 2005 AND FEBRUARY 23, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON S OR K SERIES WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES."

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.