Thomas Fs-65

Model Fs-65 made by Thomas got 1 consumer complain, 2 investigations there are 2 recalls as well as 2 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference to electrical system. . Technical service bulletines regarding structure. The car had one investigation (steering). There were some recalls concerningservice brakes, hydraulic, tires.

Fs-65 year 2004

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Car dealers

Model 2004

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
05V426000	FREIGHTLINER LLC	from 01/24/2004 to 06/15/2005	V (Vehicle)	1630	01/20/2006	MFR	THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.	09/20/2005	09/26/2005
Defect Summary	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.
Consequence Summary	The defect may cause the loss of front brakes, resulting in extended stopping distances and possibly a vehicle crash.
Corrective Summary	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.
Notes	Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236; (tty:1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
TIRES
04T023000	MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.	from 05/04/2004 to 12/19/2004	T (Tire)	4000	12/27/2004	MFR	THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.	12/22/2004	12/22/2004
Defect Summary	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.
Consequence Summary	Rapid air loss can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash can occur.
Corrective Summary	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.
Notes	Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
51R3	02/14/2008	10025902	Thomas built buses: there have been reports of the forward door leaf hex shaft breaking. *pe	09/15/2008
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
51R3	02/14/2008	10025902	Thomas built buses: there have been reports of the forward door leaf hex shaft breaking. *pe	09/15/2008

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
STEERING
EA07002	THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.	01/30/2007	07/12/2007	STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS	07V289000
	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 nhtsa 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.
STEERING - COLUMN
EA07002	THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.	01/30/2007	07/12/2007	STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS	07V289000
	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 nhtsa 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.

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
01/04/2008	41867	1	08/15/2003
	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

Car dealers selling

State	City	Zip	Name	Phone
IN	AVON	46123	KERLIN BUS SALES	800-331-8942