2005 Thomas C2 problems

What is wrong

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.

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.

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.

Recall number 06V085000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain 2005 thomas built fs-65 and c-2 school buses and 2005 freightliner argosy, columbia, century st, and m2 business class trucks manufactured between june 4 and july 8, 2005. The spindles in the rear axle housing were overheated during the heat treatment process. Incorrectly heat treated spindles could result in a fracture of the spindle.

Risk

Incorrectly heat treated spindles could fracture, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Remedy

Freightliner will notify its customers and inspect for the heat treat date code on the end of the rear spindles and replace the axle housing if necessary. The recall is expected to begin on january 23, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner

Recall number 05V467000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

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.

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.

Recall number 05V468000 · Recall details

ODI received a complaint regarding a corroded battery post located behind a service panel near the driver's seat on a 2006 Thomas Built C2 school bus that resulted in a fire on the vehicle.It was determined that like buses built prior to a December 26, 2005 design change which added a flange to the lower edge of the panel were susceptible to water intrusion.The design change was meant to address concerns of loose panels but consequently prevented water ingress and the subject corrosion. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on October 18, 2011 involving 3,300 of the estimated 6,139 vehicles subject to this investigation.In subsequent communication with ODI, DTNA explained that nearly two thirds of 4,773 MY2007 vehicles were built with the December 26 design change and therefore do not contain the safety related defect.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall on this matter, and subsequent explanation of the scope of vehicles involved, addresses ODI's concerns.The 573 letter was received prior to the due date of the IR response, therefore DTNA has been relieved from having to submit an IR response.DTNA will inspect, clean, repair and protect power cables as needed.The subject vehicles have been recalled and this investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) number: 10395455

PE11031

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a complaint alleging brake fluid loss caused by a ruptured brake line that had chafed against a wire harness in the engine compartment of the complainant?s vehicle.It was determined that the chafing was caused by contact between the convoluted tubing covering the fuel supply line and the metal brake lines.This issue only affects units with a Caterpillar (CAT) C7 engine and a fuel water separator mounted in a specific location on the frame rail.Not all units with CAT engines were equipped with fuel water separators, but all units with CAT engines and a fuel water separator have them mounted in the same location.Units with other engines have a different fuel supply line routing and are not affected by this defect.Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on 18 October 2011 involving seven-hundred (700) model year (MY) 2005-2009 vehicles.In its notice, DTNA provided an explanation that MY2010 vehicles were not built with CAT C7 engines and, that of the model years that were built with C7 engines, only 700 had fuel water separators.All 700 such vehicles are included in this recall.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall addresses ODI's concerns.The recall remedy involves replacement of any damaged brake lines and rerouting as needed.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) number: 10383939

PE11032