2005 Thomas FS-65
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Thomas › FS-65 › 2005
These records cover every 2005 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 2005 Thomas FS-65. Newest first.
Certain 2005 thomas built FS-65 and C-2 school buses and 2005 freightliner argosy, columbia, century st, and M2 business class trucks manufactured between june 4 and july 8, 2005. the spindles in the rear axle housing were overheated during the heat treatment process. incorrectly heat treated spindles could result in a fracture of the spindle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Incorrectly heat treated spindles could fracture, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify its customers and inspect for the heat treat date code on the end of the rear spindles and replace the axle housing if necessary. the recall IS expected to begin on january 23, 2006. owners may contact freightliner
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.
Owner complaints
2 complaints
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
Led light started smoking and burned up emitting smoke inside the bus. This was the second incident with this type of light. *tr
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
I writing in response to a service bulletin issued by freightliner custom chassis, sb 54-26. This service bulletin covers an issue with the turn signal cancellation ring on a 2005 model thomas school bus. The manufacturer has incorrectly installed the part which cancels the turn signal after a…
I writing in response to a service bulletin issued by freightliner custom chassis, sb 54-26. This service bulletin covers an issue with the turn signal cancellation ring on a 2005 model thomas school bus. The manufacturer has incorrectly installed the part which cancels the turn signal after a turn IS completed. Due to the fact that this part was incorrectly installed, it IS impossible at times to signal when making a turn, as IS indicated in their service bulletin. I was not able to get any information on this defect until my 19 school buses were out of their warranty period. I believe this service bulletin should be upgraded to a recall due to the safety factor involved. No one has been injured as a result of this defect, but I feel this problem should be corrected and the manufacturer should take financial responsibility for their negligence before an accident results from it. *nm
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.
- 10036588Thomas built bus: all models of thomas buses using automatic slack adjusters. The automatic slack adjusters are routinely being adjusted by some operators and service technicians to make brake pushrod stroke appear to be with legal brake adjustment limits, or to compensate for mis-diagnosed out of adjustment conditions caused by worn or damaged foundation brake components.
- 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.