RoadVitals

2006 Thomas Built Buses Hdx

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
12
Latest Aug 31, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA 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.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Thomas Built Buses Hdx. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 87 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

12 campaigns cover this model year

View all 12

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V455000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Aug 31, 2011
43 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, STERLING ACTERRA, 7500 & 8500, AND THOMAS BUILT HDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2004, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 10C-5View on NHTSA.gov
08V668000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 17, 2008
24,650 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.
The risk: A FRACTURED FUEL LINE MAY LEAK DIESEL FUEL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD CAUSING A SLIPPERY SURFACE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DETROIT DIESEL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED WITH MORE ROBUST LINES AND VIBRATION DAMPERS FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED DETROIT DIESEL DISTRIBUTORSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL 1-313-592-3708 OR DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-542View on NHTSA.gov
08V622000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Nov 26, 2008
18,198 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 18,198 MY 2003-2009 THOMAS BUILT ER, MVP-ER, HDX, AND MVP-EF SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL POWER SWITCH AND MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 2008. SOLID STATE CIRCUIT BREAKERS MAY TRIP UNNECESSARILY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE BUS CHASSIS AND BODY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
The risk: UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT BUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOLID STATE DUAL POWER SWITCH WITH A MECHANICAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTION (MEGA FUSE). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-539View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE07054ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

EMERGENCY DOOR HANDLE FAILURE

Opened Nov 9, 2007
Closed Mar 4, 2008

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONAFTERBECOMING AWARE THAT FLEETS WERE HAVING HANDLE FAILURES ON THE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR EXIT.THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE DOOR HANDLE SEPARATING FROM THEDOOR LATCH MECHANISM.WHEN THE HANDLE FAILS, THE REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE BUS.THE FAILURE RESULTS FROM CORROSION OF THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE LATCH MECHANISM, CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE.CONTINUED CORROSION WEAKENS THE HANDLE AND EVENTUALLY THE HANDLE MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE EXIT DOOR.ODI WAS CONCERNED THAT DURING AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE BUS WOULD BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR,POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION OF THE BUS.UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL, THE ALUMINUM HANDLES WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE.THE RECALL ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSLed to recall 08V087000
PE07029ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SIDE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL FIRES

Opened Jun 20, 2007
Closed Nov 29, 2007

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF TWO SCHOOL BUS FIRES THAT STARTED IN THE SIDE MOUNTED ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL ON A PAIR OF THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES.THEFLEET OWNER HAD REPORTED THE BUS INTERIORS FILLED WITH SMOKE, CERTAIN ELECTRICAL DEVICES BECAME INOPERATIVE, AND THE BUSES STALLED. THE TWO BUSES INVOLVED IN THE FIRE INCIDENTS HAVE CONSECUTIVE VIN NUMBERS AND THE FIRES WERE SIMILAR, BUT NOT IDENTICAL TO A PREVIOUS RECALL (06V-136) CONDUCTED BY THOMAS BUILT.THESE BUSES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRIOR RECALL, WHICH INVOLVED A DEFECTIVE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (PDM).AFTER FURTHER TECHNICAL EVALUATION, FREIGHTLINER DECIDED THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT DEFICIENCIES IN THEPREVIOUS RECALL AND ALSO EXPAND THE POPULATION TO CAPTURE ALL AFFECTED BUSES.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION FREIGHTLINER PLANS TO TAKE WILL BE FORWARDED TO ODI WHEN AVAILABLE. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 07V544000
PE06012ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ELECTRICAL PANEL FIRES

Opened Mar 8, 2006
Closed Jun 15, 2006

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON FOUR ALLEGATIONS OF SCHOOL BUS FIRES IN THE POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (PDM) AREA OF THE SUBJECT BUSES.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI LEARNED THATBUSES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 4, 2004 AND FEBRUARY 14, 2006 WERE EQUIPPED WITH PDM?S MANUFACTURED WITH COPPER CIRCUITS THAT WERE TOO THIN FOR THE ELECTRICAL LOADS ENCOUNTERED, CREATINGOVERHEATING AND THERMAL EVENTS.ALSO, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MULTIPLE THERMAL BREAKERS, CLUSTERED TOGETHER ON THE PDM, TOGETHER WITH HEAT GENERATED FROM THE PDM CAN GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT THE PDM.ON APRIL 21, 2006, FREIGHTLINER FILED A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.FREIGHTLINER'S REMEDY IS TO REPLACE ALL THE ORIGINAL (THIN COPPER CIRCUIT) PDM?S WITH NEW IMPROVED PDM?S HAVING THICKER COPPER CIRCUITS.ALSO, FREIGHTLINER WILL REPLACE THE THERMAL BREAKERS WITH NON-THERMAL BREAKER OR FUSES. THE RECALL ACTION TAKEN BY FREIGHTLINER RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERSLed to recall 06V136000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PAB005-2019

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Thomas Built Buses Product Awareness Bulletin on Improved Through Lugg Compt Dr

DOC-1034175

VISIBILITY

SS:1034175 TBB Removing Window Stops from Passenger Windows

sbu00016

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin Paper Copy Mailings Are Discontinued

1208-18

ENGINE; EQUIPMENT

Service Information Bulletin- Oil Present at the Turbocharger Compressor Housing

DOC-1033968

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

Service Solution: 1033968 TBB Warning Lights, One Side Flashes Faster than the Other

DOC-1033968

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

Service Solution: 1033968 TBB Warning Lights, One Side Flashes Faster than the Other

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Thomas Built Buses Hdx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2015010—
2012010—
2011060—
2010081—
2009261—
2008082—
20070122—
2006Viewing0123—
2005082—
2004071—
2003040—
2002020—
2001020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.