2014 Thomas Built Buses Minotour

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.

Tech Talk discussion about power steering fluid.

Warranty Information Letter for Detroit and TBB Parchment Format Update. In the continuing effort to standardize across brands, DTNA is pleased to announce that Detroit Diesel Corporation (Detroit) and Thomas Built Bus (TBB) parchments will be transitioned to the format used for Freightliner, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC), and Western Star. DTNA's goal is to improve and align documentation but individual coverages have not changed. Updated parchments, also known as coverage sheets, will be published on a rolling basis.

Service Bulletin for Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Cab Surfaces. The following guidelines are for cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces on the inside and outside of a vehicle. For best results, follow cleaning and disinfecting procedures fully and consistently. Ensure there is adequate ventilation when using chemicals. NOTICE: Wipe down fragile components carefully to avoid damaging the vehicle.

Warranty Information Letter for Warranty Training Online. DTNA is pleased to announce the release of new Warranty-related training videos. The videos provide Warranty content in short instructional videos that are available on demand through the AftermarkeTV Video Channel icon on the Aftermarket Resource Center (ARC) home page.

Warranty Policy Letter for Handling for Authorized Service Location Part Transfers. To promote 24-hour throughput and maximum efficiency, DTNA is adjusting multiple handling policies: Launching a new handling allowance for parts ordered from another Authorized Service Location because the facing Part Distribution Center (PDC) is out of stock Retiring Detroit's Customer First Program

Warranty Policy Letter for Chassis Progressive Damage Policy Change. Effective for repair orders opened on or after April 27, 2020, if an Authorized Service Location installed a part which later has a warrantable failure, progressive damage and labor may be covered under the Aftermarket Parts Limited Parts Warranty (Parts Warranty).