2011 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-09-21 (September 21, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER MVP-EF, AND SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-12-05 (December 5, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS B2 CHASSIS FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. THE GRID HEATER GROUND WIRE MAY CONTACT THE RELAY POWER TERMINAL AND RUB AND CHAFE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE GRID HEATER RELAY GROUND WIRE IS CORRECTLY ROUTED AND MODIFIED AS REQUIRED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WITH THE POWER TERMINAL. THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

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: 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.

Consequence: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The safety recall began on January 4, 2013. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured December 3, 2009, through February 8, 2012, and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Consequence: The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners and dealers will update the hybrid transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-503-745-6910. DTNA's recall number is FL-657.