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2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 is fuel and propulsion system. Its complaint count is close to a typical Saf-T-Liner C2 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
133
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 4

EquipmentReported January 30, 2018 · 606 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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:
Risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.

Recall number 18V083000 · Recall details

Structure: body: door: hinge and attachmentsReported February 26, 2008 · 243,435 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks is recalling 243,435 my 1995-2008 thomas built school buses manufactured between january 1994, and march 10, 2008. (additional buses have been added to this recall campaign. Please see supplemental report no. 4) the emergency exit door handle begins corroding around the securing roll pin and square drive mechanism causing the protective finish to chip and flake. Continued corrosion and pitting weakens the handle. Handles weakened by corrosion may break while trying to open the door from the exterior.
Risk
In the event of an emergency, a person on the outside of the bus may break the door handle trying to open the emergency exit potentially delaying evacuation and increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle's occupants.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and will replace the handles with a more robust handle free of charge. Repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships. The recall began on august 18, 2008, and notification for the revised population is expected to begin on or about april 29, 2009. Owners may contact thomas built at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 08V087000 · Recall details

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported February 26, 2008 · 760 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks is recalling 760 my 2003-2007 thomas built school buses manufactured between july 6, 2005 and july 19, 2006, equipped with braun wheelchair lifts, models nl, ncl, or nvl. The threshold warning systems of the subject model wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, platform lift systems for motor vehicles.
Risk
Should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and provide a free remedy which will be performed by thomas built dealerships. The recall began on august 8, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 08V088000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: supply: check valveReported July 16, 2007 · 75,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.
Risk
These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 07V302000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2

Defect investigations

Emergency door handle failureOpened November 9, 2007, closed March 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.

PE07054

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 133

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 133 bulletins for the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2

What 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 29, 2011 · Fuel system · 96,013 miles · CA

Underbody cng fuel cylinder(s) were discovered to have been originally installed with insufficient overhead clearance. The forward most cylinder (1 of 5) was mounted with an interference fit against supporting structure. Cylinder wrapping was damaged. Other cylinders on this and similar thomas transit school buses have been found with well under the .5 inch clearance recommended by dot, chp, and the ngv industry. The bus manufacturer declined to address the oem design defect, subsequent cylinder damage, and imminent safety concern, on this school bus due to its being out of standard warranty. Later model year thomas cng transit buses use similar methods of cylinder mounting.

Compare the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2

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Questions about the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2

Is the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, close to a typical Saf-T-Liner C2 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2003 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 have?

4 recalls, covering equipment, structure and equipment adaptive/mobility.

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