2007 Thomas Built Buses C2 Recalls

ODI received a complaint regarding a corroded battery post located behind a service panel near the driver's seat on a 2006 Thomas Built C2 school bus that resulted in a fire on the vehicle.It was determined that like buses built prior to a December 26, 2005 design change which added a flange to the lower edge of the panel were susceptible to water intrusion.The design change was meant to address concerns of loose panels but consequently prevented water ingress and the subject corrosion. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on October 18, 2011 involving 3,300 of the estimated 6,139 vehicles subject to this investigation.In subsequent communication with ODI, DTNA explained that nearly two thirds of 4,773 MY2007 vehicles were built with the December 26 design change and therefore do not contain the safety related defect.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall on this matter, and subsequent explanation of the scope of vehicles involved, addresses ODI's concerns.The 573 letter was received prior to the due date of the IR response, therefore DTNA has been relieved from having to submit an IR response.DTNA will inspect, clean, repair and protect power cables as needed.The subject vehicles have been recalled and this investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) number: 10395455

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a complaint alleging brake fluid loss caused by a ruptured brake line that had chafed against a wire harness in the engine compartment of the complainant?s vehicle.It was determined that the chafing was caused by contact between the convoluted tubing covering the fuel supply line and the metal brake lines.This issue only affects units with a Caterpillar (CAT) C7 engine and a fuel water separator mounted in a specific location on the frame rail.Not all units with CAT engines were equipped with fuel water separators, but all units with CAT engines and a fuel water separator have them mounted in the same location.Units with other engines have a different fuel supply line routing and are not affected by this defect.Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on 18 October 2011 involving seven-hundred (700) model year (MY) 2005-2009 vehicles.In its notice, DTNA provided an explanation that MY2010 vehicles were not built with CAT C7 engines and, that of the model years that were built with C7 engines, only 700 had fuel water separators.All 700 such vehicles are included in this recall.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall addresses ODI's concerns.The recall remedy involves replacement of any damaged brake lines and rerouting as needed.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) number: 10383939