2000 Thomas Er Transit problems

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

What is wrong

On certain school and transit buses, the wheel lug nut may not tighten completely.

Risk

The wheel could loosen increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.

Remedy

Dealers will install new wheel studs. Owner notification began february 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact thomas built at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 02V221000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: certain school buses fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 121, "air brake systems." these vehicles do not comply due to the low air warning system detecting pressure in only one reservoir system and not both as required.

Risk

This does not meet the standard.

Remedy

Dealers will correct the low air pressure switch wiring. Owner notification began july 27, 2001. Owner notification is expected to begin owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact thomas built at 336‑881‑7219.

Recall number 01V105000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: certain school buses and transit buses equipped with national seating's series 93b-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching the gas spring shock to the height adjuster of the seat can deform and break. This bracket is located at the top of the height adjuster.

Risk

If the bracket is not replaced after deforming, and is allowed to break, its breaking will result in a sudden drop of the driver's seat, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle and a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat base and add reinforcement to the seat assembly

Recall number 00V362000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.

Risk

This condition could cause the ABS ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ABS ecu.

Recall number 00V232002 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school bus chassis and emergency vehicles built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.

Risk

This condition could cause the ABS ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ABS ecu.

Recall number 00V232011 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain school buses with weldon technologies' 5050-1400 surface mount marker lights have an option to replace each of the twelve clearance/marker/identification lights with four-candlepower lights, twice the candlepower normally used. The higher current demand created by these lights can cause excessive heat through the headlight switch connection if a relay is not installed between the combination tail/marker light circuit and the headlight switch.

Risk

This can result in deformation of the plastic connectors that connect the headlight switch to its wiring harness.

Remedy

Dealers will install a relay to reduce the current draw through the headlight switch. Owner notification began september 8, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact thomas built at 1‑336‑881‑7219.

Recall number 00V174000 · Recall details

See attached four page technical report for details.

EA04014