2004 Thomas FS-65 problems

What is wrong

Certain freightliner custom chassis fs-65 school bus chassis and fb-65 shuttle bus chassis equipped with caterpillar c7 engines and revised cooling packages and manufactured between january 24, 2004, and june 15, 2005. The front hydraulic line may rub through on a radiator tube, possibly resulting in the loss of brake fluid to the front brakes.

Risk

The defect may cause the loss of front brakes, resulting in extended stopping distances and possibly a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Freightliner and thomas built will notify its customers and will inspect and secure the brake line to provide more clearance free of charge. The recall began on january 20, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 05V426000 · Recall details

As a result of the odi investigation, freightliner has agreed to recall (number 07v‑289) all of the vehicles manufactured with steering columns potentially missing welds.the recall remedy will involve inspecting the recalled vehicles for missing welds and if found replace the steering column.early warning aggregate data submitted to the federal safety agency by freightliner suggested that a steering problem (ewr code 01) existed for the 2004 and 2005 century and columbia class vehicles.the count of field reports submitted for the first quarter of 2006 was higher than the average of the previous 6 quarters for the aggregate steering data.odi's further review of the ewr data foundfield reports that described steering column failures as a result of steering column welds cracking or breaking.information received from freightliner detailed failures of the steering columns on the subject vehicles.these failures were the result of missing and cracked welds on the steering column assembly.during testing of vehicles containing defective steering columns, odi determined that weld failures in the steering column create a situation where the vehicle becomes difficult to steer or may startle the driver upon failing, thus presenting a safety risk.a copy of the recall is attached.freightliner's action resolves the issues raised by this investigation and, therefore, this investigation is closed.

EA07002