2004 Thomas FS-65

Defect. 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.

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.

AFTER START-UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH PANEL. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY MINUTES 10 LATER WHEN THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED; TIME LINE IS THE BEST WE CAN DETERMINE FROM VIDEO FOOTAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATE AND THE BUS WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES. THE BUS WAS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR. *TR