2005 Thomas Saf-t-liner C2 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V397000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-459
Manufactured Begin Date: December 17th, 2004
Manufactured End Date: July 28th, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: March 27th, 2006

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30" OR 40" LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR EXITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 17, 2004, AND JULY 28, 2005. THE TELESCOPING SLIDE THAT HOLDS THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR OPEN IS LOCATED SUCH THAT IT WILL MOVE PAST ITS NORMAL TRAVEL AND THE MECHANISM MAY LATCH ON THE END OF THE SLIDE PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM OPENING.

Consequence Summary:
THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR MAY NOT OPEN IF THE LATCH MECHANISM IS IN THE INCORRECT POSITION. OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO USE THE FRONT ENTRY DOOR OR REAR EMERGENCY EXIT IF A SITUATION OCCURRED THAT REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

Corrective Summary:
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS AT 1-336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall Notes:
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-459.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V392000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-456
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 2004
Manufactured End Date: May 5th, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: April 3rd, 2006

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall Notes:
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-456.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V387000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-457
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 2004
Manufactured End Date: August 26th, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: August 27th, 2005

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

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall Notes:
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-457.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V191000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-445
Manufactured Begin Date: August 13th, 2004
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 2005
Date of Owner Notification: March 23rd, 2005

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

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.