2004 Thomas C2

Defect. 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.

Defect. 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.

Defect. CERTAIN MICHELIN XDE COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES, SIZE 10R22.5 LRG AND LRF FOR USE ON FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THESE TIRES WERE MANFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 23 AND OCTOBER 24, 2004, CAN EXPERIENCE RAPID AIR LOSS DUE TO AN IRREGULARITY OF THE INNER LINER.

Risk. RAPID AIR LOSS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. MICHELIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MICHELIN AT 888-622-2306.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUS' COWL SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE BUS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS DENIED THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE SCHOOL WAS SUPPOSED TO TIGHTEN ALL THE COWL MOUNTING BOLTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PONDER EQUIPMENT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD THAT THIS TYPE OF MAINTENANCE WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE COWL MOUNTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THE ENTIRE FRONT END COULD DETACH FROM THE BUS. *AK

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PRODUCT OUR STATE USES ON IT'S SCHOOL BUS UNITS. THE STATE BUYS SCHOOL BUS RETREADS (CALLED BEAD TO BEAD RETREADS) THAT COVER UP THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S NAME, DOT , LOAD RANGE AND OTHER VITAL INFORMATION. DOES THE TREAD ACT COVER SCHOOL BUS SIZED (11R22.5) TIRES? THE INFORMATION PLACED BACK ON THE CASING DURING THE RE-MANUFACTURING PROCESS DOES NOT MATCH THAT OF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. (GOODYEAR) ARE RE-MANUFACTURED TIRES THAT COVER THE SIDEWALL OF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER LEGAL? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER HAS A RECALL, HOW WOULD WE GET THE CORRECT TIRES OFF THE SCHOOL BUS UNITS THAT CARRY OUR CHILDREN? THANKS. *JB