2007 Thomas Built Buses FS-65: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2006-05-03 (May 3, 2006)

CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS65, MVP-EF, AND HDX MODEL SCHOOL BUSES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 16 AND JULY 1, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. CRACKS IN THE LIFT ARMS MAY ALLOW THE MECHANISM TO TWIST DURING STOWAGE, PREVENTING CLOSURE OF THE SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E008000) AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPT. AT 800-322-2884 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUS CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.

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: 2007-06-07 (June 7, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2006 AND 2007 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL AND SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7 ENGINES AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE P/NO A12-21572-000. THE FRONT BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SECURED ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINE TO CONTACT THE ENGINE COOLANT PLUMBING COMPONENTS.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-11-29 (November 29, 2007)

CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2008 THOMAS BUILT FS-56, ER, MVP ER, HDX, AND MVP EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 23, 2000, THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH TYCO PC BOARD AND TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKERS. TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKER TEMPERATURES MAY EXCEED THE RATING OF THE TYCO PC BOARD CAUSING THE BOARDS TO MELT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY REPLACING THE TYPE II AUTO RESET CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS, AND THE JUMPER CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.

Reported: 2008-02-26 (February 26, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

Reported: 2008-02-26 (February 26, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 760 MY 2003-2007 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 6, 2005 AND JULY 19, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, MODELS NL, NCL, OR NVL. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEMS OF THE SUBJECT MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

Reported: 2011-03-31 (March 31, 2011)

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000, THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2009, WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS LIST "D" LOAD RANGE TIRES WITH A RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE GREATER THAN 65 PSI. THE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES THAT REQUIRE A HIGHER MINIMUM TIRE PRESSURE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT LABEL WITH A CORRECT LABEL FREE OF CHARGE OR, IF THE OWNER WISHES, THEY MAY REPLACE THE LABEL THEMSELVES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871 TO OBTAIN THE LABEL IF THEY WISH TO AFFIX IT THEMSELVES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 28, 2011.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER HDX, MVP-EF, FS-65, AND MINOTOR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.