2004 Thomas SAF-T-LINER C2: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-04-29 (April 29, 2005)

CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MY 2004 AND 2005 SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 13, 2004, AND MARCH 1, 2005. DUE TO SOFTWARE COMMUNICATION CONFLICTS, THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES SUCH AS THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS OR THE STOP SIGNAL ARM MAY NOT WORK OR MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD REQUIREMENTS OF 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, AND STANDARD 131, SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES.

Consequence: IF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES DO NOT WORK, A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. ALL THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE BUSES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

Reported: 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)

CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2004 AND AUGUST 26, 2005. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE BOLT, ALLOWING JOINT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WITHOUT WARNING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: ALL THOMAS BUILT AND FREIGHTLINER DEALERS AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS WERE CALLED ON AUGUST 26, 2005, AND NOTIFIED NOT TO DRIVE THESE BUSES UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE REMEDY PROCEDURE CALLS FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE STEERING PINCH BOLTS FOR THE PRESENCE OF TORQUE SEAL. BOLTS WITHOUT TORQUE SEAL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS AND TORQUE SEAL ADDED. FOLLOW UP NOTIFICATION BY MAIL BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2005-09-08 (September 8, 2005)

CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2004, AND MAY 5, 2005. THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE GAP BETWEEN ADJOINING INTERIOR PANELS ABOVE THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH.

Consequence: A NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 221 MAY, WITHOUT WARNING, RESULT IN AN INCREASE OF A STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE OF THE SCHOOL BUS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY IT CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE JOINT BY ADDING A BRACKET SECURED WITH SCREWS AND ADHESIVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-877-660-4938.

Reported: 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)

CERTAIN MY 2004 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 26 AND OCTOBER 29, 2004, EQUIPPED WITH A CATERPILLAR C-7 ENGINE AND BORG-WARNER KYS 4735 35480 55 ENGINE FAN. THE FAN SHROUD MAY BE DRAWN BACK INTO THE FAN AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS WHEN THE FAN CLUTCH ENGAGES. DUE TO REDUCED CLEARANCE, HEAVY CONTACT BETWEEN THE FAN AND THE SHROUD MAY CAUSE THE FAN BLADE TO FRACTURE.

Consequence: THE FAN MAY FRACTURE AND PIECES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN BLADE. IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS MAY PRESENT A HAZARD TO PEOPLE NEAR THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FAN WITH A FAN THAT HAS A DIFFERENT MOUNTING OFFSET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.