RoadVitals

2012 Thomas Built Buses Minotour Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

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
Recall campaignsA 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.
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Newest Nov 9, 2020
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open 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.
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1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

12 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

20V690000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 9, 2020
615 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses. The driver may be able to release the park brake and shift the transmission out of Park and into a drive gear while the wheelchair lift is deployed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."
The risk: If the vehicle is put into drive while the wheelchair lift is deployed, the vehicle may move forward or backward, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will have the wheelchair lift wiring modified as needed, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on January 6, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 19, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-868.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-868View on NHTSA.gov
19V170000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mar 5, 2019
410 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2003-2019 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on a Ford chassis equipped with a specific wheelchair lift option. The wheelchair lift can be operated without the parking brake being engaged after they key is turned off.
The risk: When the vehicle is in neutral with the ignition and the parking brake off, the vehicle may move. Using the wheelchair lift during this time can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will modify the wheelchair lift wiring harness, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on April 10, 2019. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-811.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-811View on NHTSA.gov
18V301000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

May 8, 2018
1,688 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2018 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on a Ford chassis and equipped with an optional wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift may be allowed to operate when the vehicle is in neutral or drive, due to missing relay in the interlock wiring harness.
The risk: If the vehicle can be moved while the wheelchair lift is being used, there is an increased the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift wiring, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 19, 2018. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-770.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-770View on NHTSA.gov
18V157000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mar 7, 2018
3,304 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2007-2018 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on GM chassis and equipped with wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift may be operated while the vehicle is in Neutral or Drive.
The risk: If the wheelchair lift can be operated when the vehicle is not in Park, there is increased risk of injury to the lift user.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift, correcting the electrical connections as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on April 26, 2018. The recall began November 15, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-761.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-761View on NHTSA.gov
18V158000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mar 7, 2018
14 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2007-2018 Thomas Built Buses Minotour transit buses built on GM chassis and equipped with wheelchair lifts. The wheelchair lift may be operated while the vehicle is in Neutral or Drive.
The risk: If the wheelchair lift can be operated when the vehicle is not in Park, there is increased risk of injury to the lift user.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift, correcting the electrical connections as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on April 26, 2018. The recall began November 15, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-761.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-761View on NHTSA.gov
18V083000

EQUIPMENT

Jan 30, 2018
606 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-759View on NHTSA.gov
16V103000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Feb 23, 2016
2,323 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012-2017 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses manufactured from October 26, 2010, through December 14, 2015 and built on a GM chassis. The affected school buses have a body control module that may fail resulting in intermittent or total loss of exterior lighting or windshield wiper function.
The risk: Loss of exterior lighting or windshield wiper function can decrease visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wiring to the body control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number for this campaign is FL-701.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-701View on NHTSA.gov
15V564000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 4, 2015
52 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, and Minotour DRW transit buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
The risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-686View on NHTSA.gov
15V565000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 4, 2015
4,334 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EF, Saf-T-Liner EFX, Saf-T-Liner HDX, and Minotour DRW school buses manufactured January 3, 2006, to August 1, 2014, and equipped with certain Ricon model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, S5510 wheelchair lifts. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
The risk: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began onNovember 2, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-686.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-686View on NHTSA.gov
12V297000

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Jun 28, 2012
163 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT BUSES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT BUSES AT 1-336-889-4871 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-630View on NHTSA.gov
12V296000

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Jun 28, 2012
1,312 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT BUSES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SMI WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT BUSES AT 1-336-889-4871 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-630View on NHTSA.gov
11V517000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Oct 26, 2011
90 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011 AND 2012 THOMAS BUILT EF AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 26, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 9, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECTAL INDUSTRIES EMERGENCY VERTICAL PUSH OUT WINDOWS. INCORRECT RIVETS MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE HANDLES THAT AN OCCUPANT WOULD USE TO OPEN THE WINDOW IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE PART NUMBERS FOR THE THOMAS BUILT BUSES ARE: 167977, 167982, 167985, 167990, 168005, 168006, 168025, 168027, 168028, AND 168035.
The risk: IF THE HANDLE IS ACTUATED DURING A NON-EMERGENCY SITUATION AND DETACHES, THE EMERGENCY WINDOW CANNOT BE RE-SECURED, POSING A RISK THAT CHILDREN MAY FALL OR CLIMB OUT. HOWEVER, IF THE HANDLE WERE TO DETACH DURING AN EMERGENCY, THE EXIT WINDOW WILL OPEN AND EGRESS THROUGH THE WINDOW WILL NOT BE HINDERED.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DAIMLER TRUCKS AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-617View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

AQ18002ClosedAudit Query

Daimler Trucks North America Recalls

Opened Apr 23, 2018
Closed Jul 11, 2024

On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. NHTSA and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to resolve NHTSA’s assertions that certain recalls within the scope of AQ18002 were untimely, DTNA failed to timely submit certain manufacturer communications to NHTSA, and DTNA failed to submit field reports to NHTSA as required. As part of the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to a total civil penalty of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000), of which ten million dollars ($10,000,000) was paid on January 12, 2021. Also, of that total civil penalty, DTNA agreed to spend five million dollars ($5,000,000) on the specific performance obligations to develop advanced data analytics capabilities to enhance its ability to detect and study emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles (“Safety Data Analytics infrastructure”) and an advanced data analytics and reporting platform that integrates data on emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles and recall lessons learned (“Safety Communications Platform”). The Consent Order also held fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) of the civil penalty in abeyance pending DTNA’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Consent Order, and its compliance with the Safety Act, and regulations thereunder. NHTSA and DTNA agreed to a two-year term for the Consent Order—with an option for NHTSA to extend the Consent Order for an additional year, if warranted. In the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to numerous performance obligations, including monthly meetings with NHTSA to discuss potential safety issues, recent manufacturer communications, and recall decision-making, among other things; quarterly meetings with NHTSA to discuss DTNA’s progress on the performance obligations under the Consent Order, including the Safety Data Analytics infrastructure and Safety Communications Platform, and any issues related to compliance with the Consent Order, Safety Act, or regulations; development of written procedures and employee training materials to help DTNA comply with its legal obligations to timely identify and report safety defects and noncompliances, submit complete and accurate recall filings, and timely submit manufacturer communications and field reports to NHTSA; and identifying and reporting previously unreported manufacturer communications and field reports. Also, via the Consent Order, DTNA acknowledged that the failure or inability to identify a specific root cause, develop an adequate remedy or repair, or confirm the affected population of vehicles are not bases for delaying filing a recall with NHTSA. On December 22, 2022, NHTSA extended the Consent Order for a term of one year due to concerns about DTNA’s compliance with its recall-related obligations. Specifically, NHTSA expressed concerns about the completeness of DTNA’s recall reports and issues identified with owner notification letters during the term of the Consent Order, as well as the length of time that DTNA took to consider a straightforward noncompliance issue before filing a recall and DTNA’s interactions with NHTSA during the term of the Consent Order. NHTSA addressed these concerns with DTNA during the third year of the Consent Order. The extended term of the Consent Order expired on December 28, 2023. Based on the Consent Order, this investigation, AQ18002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order or DTNA’s ongoing legal obligations, and it does not represent a determination by NHTSA as to DTNA’s performance under the Consent Order.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources