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.
Safety risk
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer 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.
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."
Safety risk
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer 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.
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
33,303
Reported to NHTSA
2007-11-29
Owners notified
2008-03-28
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.