DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 18,198 MY 2003-2009 THOMAS BUILT ER, MVP-ER, HDX, AND MVP-EF SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL POWER SWITCH AND MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002 THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 2008. SOLID STATE CIRCUIT BREAKERS MAY TRIP UNNECESSARILY POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER TO THE BUS CHASSIS AND BODY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: THOMAS BUILT BUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOLID STATE DUAL POWER SWITCH WITH A MECHANICAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTION (MEGA FUSE). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.
ON CERTAIN THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES, THE ALTERNATOR CABLE CAN PINCH BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO WIRE INSULATION AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 28, 2003. 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 FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT AT
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE04062 · Tie Rod Tube Failure
Opened Sep 3, 2004 · Closed Feb 2, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM TWO SEPARATE SCHOOL BUSFLEETS.BOTH FLEETS ALLEGED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING IN A PARKING AREA, THE TIE-ROD TUBE DISCONNECTED FROM ONE OF THE TIE-RODS.DANA, FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT BUSES RECENTLY COMPLETED EXTENSIVE TESING AND DETERMINED THAT A CRACK MAY INITIATE ON THE INTERNAL THREAD ROOT OF THE TIE ROD.THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO INADEQUATE DAMPENING IN THE CHASSIS SYSTEM TO ACCOUNT FOR NORMAL BRAKE-INDUCED VIBRATION.THESE CRACKS MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY 5,839 DANA STEER AXLES EQUIPPED WITH A CERTAIN TRW TIE ROD ASSEMBLY UTILIZING A CUT THREAD DESIGN ARE INVOLVED:A.1320 AXLE APPLICATIONS, THOMAS PART NUMBER 61110702 AND 61110705 INSTALLED ON THOMAS BUSES WITH 6" BRAKES AND 30" AIR CHAMBERS;B.1460 AXLE APPLICATIONS, THOMAS BUS PART NUMBER 61110707 AND 61110708 INSTALLED WITH 6" BRAKES AND 30" AIR CHAMBERS. THOMAS BUILT BUS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WHICH CONTAIN THE CUT THREAD DESIGN WITH A NEW TIE ROD ASSEMBLY THAT UTILIZES A ROLLED THREAD DESIGN.A ROLLED THREAD PROVIDES LESS STRESS ON THE CRITICAL AREA OF THE TIE ROD. A COPY OF THE DEFECT REPORT IS ATTACHED. THIS ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY,THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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