NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE07008
Preliminary Evaluation · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. · SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL/VALVE
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
RESTRICTED BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT
ODI WAS CONTACTED BY THE NEW YORK DOT WHO REPORTEDSEVERAL BUSES FAILED BRAKING TESTS WHEN BEING TESTED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE SUBJECT SCHOOL BUSES ARE OPTIONED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL POSITIONING DEVICE THAT ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO RAISE AND LOWER THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT TO SUIT HIS/HER SEATING POSITION.WHEN THE LOWEST PEDAL POSITION IS SELECTED (BY A BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD), NYDOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMED OUT ON THE FLOOR, THUS PREVENTING A FULL BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION.THIS RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKE TORQUE AT THE WHEEL ENDS.FREIGHTLINER WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.THE REMEDY CALLS FOR A LONGER PEDAL PUSH ROD BEING INSTALLED IN- PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL PUSH ROD. THEY ALSO INCREASED THE POPULATION TO INCLUDE THE MVP-ER MODEL BUSES.THIS RESOLVES THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- PE07008
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Component
- SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL/VALVE
- Opened
- Feb 12, 2007
- Closed
- Apr 16, 2007
- Associated recall campaign
- 07V137000
Vehicles named in this investigation
8 model years across 3 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.