2013 Thomas Built MINOTOUR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2012-06-28 (June 28, 2012)

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT BUSES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT BUSES AT 1-336-889-4871 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.

Reported: 2013-09-18 (September 18, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013 Thomas Built Minotour DRW school buses manufactured June 29, 2013, through July 16, 2013. These vehicles were built with an alternative floor sheet metal which may not be properly bond to the other floor components due to the adhesive that was used.

Consequence: As a result, the floor joints may be weaker than specified and, in the event of a crash, the floor may separate increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add fasteners to the floor joints, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-647.

Reported: 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013 Thomas Built Minotour SRW school buses manufactured June 19, 2013, through August 9, 2013. Incorrect components may have been used to install the 5th row seat barrier.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the incorrect installation may cause the barrier to not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will correct the barrier's installation, free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2013. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-5219. DTNA's recall number is FL-649.

Reported: 2013-11-29 (November 29, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour school buses manufactured August 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013 and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to by January 26, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-385-4357. DTNA's number for this campaign is FL-654.

Reported: 2014-02-20 (February 20, 2014)

Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour dual rear wheel school buses manufactured October 21, 2011, through January 16, 2014, and equipped with certain 3-passenger IMMI or S3C brand seats installed in the rear section of the bus. In the affected vehicles, the floor reinforcement channels that provide additional support for the seat mounting were omitted during manufacturing.

Consequence: Without the floor reinforcement channels, in a crash, the floor may flex and the seat occupants may not be adequately restrained, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants.

Remedy: Daimler will notify owners, and dealers will install the missing floor reinforcement channels, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2014. Owners may contact Daimler at 1-800-385-4537. Daimler's number for this recall is FL-659.