RoadVitals

2004 Thomas C2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
2
Latest Feb 23, 2007
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.
3
Latest Mar 28, 2006
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.
0
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Thomas C2, most frequently naming the body & structure and tires & wheels categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns 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
06V085000

PARKING BRAKE

Mar 28, 2006
250 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MY 2004-2006 FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS B2 SCHOOL BUSES AND THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH AIR OR HYDRAULIC BRAKES WITH A ONE VALVE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM AND PARK BRAKE RELEASE INTERLOCK MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 17, 2004, AND FEBRUARY 20, 2006. AT HIGHER VEHICLE LOADS, THE PARKING BRAKES MAY NOT FULLY APPLY.
The risk: A BUS MAY ROLL IF THE DRIVER RELEASES THE SERVICE BRAKES BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKES FULLY APPLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR INJURE PASSENGERS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE BUS.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE PARK BRAKE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-472View on NHTSA.gov
05V468000

PARKING BRAKE

Oct 5, 2005
3,850 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2005. THE ANCHOR/PIVOT BOLT SUPPLIED WITH THE PARK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FATIGUE FRACTURE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE PARK BRAKE FAILING TO APPLY.
The risk: IF THE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT FATIGUES AND ULTIMATELY FRACTURES, THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT FUNCTION AND THERE MAY BE NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF THE MALFUNCTION WHEN THE PARK BRAKE IS SET. THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE ANCHOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-461View on NHTSA.gov
04T023000

TIRES

Dec 22, 2004
4,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MICHELIN XDE COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES, SIZE 10R22.5 LRG AND LRF FOR USE ON FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THESE TIRES WERE MANFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 23 AND OCTOBER 24, 2004, CAN EXPERIENCE RAPID AIR LOSS DUE TO AN IRREGULARITY OF THE INNER LINER.
The risk: RAPID AIR LOSS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: MICHELIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MICHELIN AT 888-622-2306.
MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Feb 23, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUS' COWL SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE BUS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS DENIED THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WAS SUPPOSED TO TIGHTEN ALL THE COWL MOUNTING BOLTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PONDER EQUIPMENT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD THAT THIS TYPE OF MAINTENANCE WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE COWL MOUNTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THE ENTIRE FRONT END COULD DETACH FROM THE BUS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10183321
Incident
Feb 15, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 3, 2006

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PRODUCT OUR STATE USES ON IT'S SCHOOL BUS UNITS. THE STATE BUYS SCHOOL BUS RETREADS (CALLED BEAD TO BEAD RETREADS) THAT COVER UP THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S NAME, DOT , LOAD RANGE AND OTHER VITAL INFORMATION. DOES THE TREAD ACT COVER SCHOOL BUS SIZED (11R22.5) TIRES? THE INFORMATION PLACED BACK ON THE CASING DURING THE RE-MANUFACTURING PROCESS DOES NOT MATCH THAT OF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. (GOODYEAR) ARE RE-MANUFACTURED TIRES THAT COVER THE SIDEWALL OF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER LEGAL? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER HAS A RECALL, HOW WOULD WE GET THE CORRECT TIRES OFF THE SCHOOL BUS UNITS THAT CARRY OUR CHILDREN? THANKS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10172572
Incident
Nov 3, 2006

Manufacturer communications

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

DOC-1034235

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SS: 1034235 TBB Fault 6341/ 286 Fuel level out of Calibration

C2 13-04R7

EQUIPMENT

C2 13-04R7_Required Tools for Warrantable Repair

C2 13-04R7

EQUIPMENT

C2 13-04R7_Required Tools for Warrantable Repair

04R5 C2 13-04R5

EQUIPMENT

Required Tools for Warrantable Repair

SB-42-05

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

THOMAS BUILT BUSES: AN ISSUE WITH THERMAL OVERLOAD ON BENDIX AIR DISC BRAKES WHERE ABS SENSOR WIRES MELTS, BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILS TO PROPERLY OPERATE DUE TO VENT HOLE IN BOTTOM NOT OPENING, CALIPERS COATED WITH RED OR BRIGHT ORANGE DUST AND TAPPED AND/OR GUIDE PIN BOOTS MELTED OR OTHERWISE SHOWS HEAT DAMAGE. *KB

sbt4905

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

sbt4905 DEF Gauge Reading Incorrectly

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 C2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100—
2005032—
2004Viewing230—

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.