2004 Thomas FS-65
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Thomas › FS-65 › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Thomas FS-65. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2004 Thomas FS-65. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
1 complaints1 involved a fire
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column weld cracks
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10025902Thomas built buses: there have been reports of the forward door leaf hex shaft breaking.
Every Thomas FS-65 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.