RoadVitals

2005 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 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 Sep 13, 2005
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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Recall campaigns

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

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Sep 13, 2005
116 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30" OR 40" LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR EXITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 17, 2004, AND JULY 28, 2005. THE TELESCOPING SLIDE THAT HOLDS THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR OPEN IS LOCATED SUCH THAT IT WILL MOVE PAST ITS NORMAL TRAVEL AND THE MECHANISM MAY LATCH ON THE END OF THE SLIDE PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM OPENING.
The risk: THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR MAY NOT OPEN IF THE LATCH MECHANISM IS IN THE INCORRECT POSITION. OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO USE THE FRONT ENTRY DOOR OR REAR EMERGENCY EXIT IF A SITUATION OCCURRED THAT REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS AT 1-336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-459View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY

Sep 8, 2005
315 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2004, AND MAY 5, 2005. THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE GAP BETWEEN ADJOINING INTERIOR PANELS ABOVE THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH.
The risk: A NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 221 MAY, WITHOUT WARNING, RESULT IN AN INCREASE OF A STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE OF THE SCHOOL BUS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY IT CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE JOINT BY ADDING A BRACKET SECURED WITH SCREWS AND ADHESIVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-877-660-4938.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-456View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:COLUMN

Sep 6, 2005
1,840 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MY 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2004 AND AUGUST 26, 2005. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE BOLT, ALLOWING JOINT SEPARATION AND LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WITHOUT WARNING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: ALL THOMAS BUILT AND FREIGHTLINER DEALERS AND DIRECT WARRANTY CUSTOMERS WERE CALLED ON AUGUST 26, 2005, AND NOTIFIED NOT TO DRIVE THESE BUSES UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. THE REMEDY PROCEDURE CALLS FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE STEERING PINCH BOLTS FOR THE PRESENCE OF TORQUE SEAL. BOLTS WITHOUT TORQUE SEAL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS AND TORQUE SEAL ADDED. FOLLOW UP NOTIFICATION BY MAIL BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-457View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 29, 2005
49 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MY 2004 AND 2005 SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 13, 2004, AND MARCH 1, 2005. DUE TO SOFTWARE COMMUNICATION CONFLICTS, THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES SUCH AS THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS OR THE STOP SIGNAL ARM MAY NOT WORK OR MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD REQUIREMENTS OF 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, AND STANDARD 131, SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES.
The risk: IF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES DO NOT WORK, A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. ALL THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE BUSES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-445View 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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

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