2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Thomas Built Buses › FS-65 › 2006
These records cover every 2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
13 recalls name the 2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65. Newest first.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Daimler trucks (dtna) IS recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 saf-t-liner C2, saf-t-liner hdx, mvp-ef, FS-65, and minotor school buses manufactured from january 2, 2006, through january 31, 2011, equipped with carrier genv EM-1 evaporator units. due to time, temperature, and/or vibration, the fuse may loosen in the fuse holder resulting in high…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If sufficient arcing occurs, the fuse holder may melt, and a vehicle fire may occur.
Remedy
Dtna will notify owners and provide information on how to obtain the retrofit kit from carrier along with repair instructions. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall began on may 20, 2011. (see carrier's recall campaign 11e-003.) owners may contact carrier at 1-800-793-4741 or dtna at 1-800-547-0712.
Certain model year 2000 through 2009 thomas built school buses manufactured from april 17, 2000, through december 21, 2009, were equipped with an incorrect tire load certification label. the certification labels list "d" load range tires with a recommended cold tire inflation pressure greater than 65 psi. the buses are equipped with load range "e" tires…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Incorrect tire information may lead to vehicle overloading that can result in a tire failure which may lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dtna will notify owners and dealers will replace the incorrect label with a correct label free of charge or, if the owner wishes, they may replace the label themselves. owners should contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712 or thomas built at 1-336-889-4871 to obtain the label if they wish to affix it themselves. the safety recall IS expected to begin on or about may 28, 2011.
Daimler trucks IS recalling 5 my 2006 thomas built FS-65 school buses manufactured between june 1 and june 8, 2006, equipped with maxon wheelchair lifts. bending occurs on the locking bracket attachments and in the ramp extrusion which fail to conform to the loading requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems for…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Injury could occur to the lift user.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and provide a free remedy which will be performed by thomas built dealerships. the recall began on august 27, 2008. owners may contact thomas built at 1-336-889-4871.
Daimler trucks IS recalling 243,435 my 1995-2008 thomas built school buses manufactured between january 1994, and march 10, 2008. (additional buses have been added to this recall campaign. please see supplemental report no. 4) the emergency exit door handle begins corroding around the securing roll pin and square drive mechanism causing the protective…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of an emergency, a person on the outside of the bus may break the door handle trying to open the emergency exit potentially delaying evacuation and increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle's occupants.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and will replace the handles with a more robust handle free of charge. repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships. the recall began on august 18, 2008, and notification for the revised population IS expected to begin on or about april 29, 2009. owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.
Daimler trucks IS recalling 760 my 2003-2007 thomas built school buses manufactured between july 6, 2005 and july 19, 2006, equipped with braun wheelchair lifts, models nl, ncl, or nvl. the threshold warning systems of the subject model wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, platform lift…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and provide a free remedy which will be performed by thomas built dealerships. the recall began on august 8, 2008. owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.
Certain 2001 through 2008 thomas built FS-56, er, mvp er, hdx, and mvp ef school buses manufactured from october 23, 2000, through january 24, 2006, equipped with tyco pc board and type II auto reset circuit breakers. type II auto reset circuit breaker temperatures may exceed the rating of the tyco pc board causing the boards to melt potentially resulting…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A vehicle fire can occur possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses by replacing the type II auto reset circuit breakers with manual circuit breakers, and the jumper cable. the recall began on march 28, 2008. owners may contact thomas built customer support office at 336-889-4871.
Certain freightliner school buses and trucks manufactured from october 23, 2004, to march 21, 2006. during the steering column manufacturing process two welds may have been missing.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Columns with two welds missing may fatigue and fracture and allow the steering wheel to progressively be moved out of its normal position which may cause the steering to respond differently than expected. if this condition IS ignored, a crash may occur.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and inspect and repair the affected vehicle free of charge. the recall began on august 30, 2007. owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Certain my 2006 and 2007 freightliner FS-65 school and shuttle bus chassis equipped with caterpillar C7 engines and hydraulic brake line p/no a12-21572-000. the front brake lines may have been improperly secured allowing the brake line to contact the engine coolant plumbing components.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause a loss of brake fluid and reduced brake performance potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. the recall began on july 12, 2007. owners can contact thomas built at 336-889-4871 or contact freightliner at 800-547-0712.
Certain my 2006 and 2007 thomas built minotour, FS-65, C2, hdx, and ef school buses manufactured between january 6 and september 6, 2006, equipped with ricon wheelchair platform lift models s2003, s2005, s2010, s5503, s5505, s5510, k2003, k2005, k2010, k5503, k5505, k5510. the lifts interlock switch system may not detect the presence of a passenger (either…
Risk and remedy
Risk
The defect involves the interlock switch system in the lift not detecting the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on the ricon wheelchair platform lift. in the event this condition occurs during passenger operations it may be possible for the wheelchair to tip backwards onto the platform when the platform was lowered. this could result in injury to the wheelchair's occupant. also, anyone standing on the platform could lose his or her balance and fall, resulting in injury.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and will repair the affected buses free of charge. the recall IS expected to begin on august 6, 2007. owners can contact freightliner's customer assistance center at 800-385-4357 or contact ricon at 800-322-2884.
Certain my 2005 and 2006 thomas built FS65 and FS65 school bus chassis manufactured between january 3, 2005, and september 21, 2006. the battery cable may chafe on a bracket adjacent to the starter.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Chafing of the battery cable on the bracket may lead to a short circuit, resulting in a vehicle fire and possible injury to the occupants.
Remedy
Freightliner will notify owners and reposition the battery cable free of charge. the recall began on february 16, 2007. owners may contact freightliner at 800-547-0712.
Certain my 2004-2007 thomas built minotour, FS65, mvp-ef, and hdx model school buses, manufactured between june 16 and july 1, 2005, equipped with ricon wheelchair lifts. cracks in the lift arms may allow the mechanism to twist during stowage, preventing closure of the safety interlock switches.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event this condition occurs during passenger operations it may not be possible to close the lift door causing the vehicle interlocks to remain engaged preventing movement of the vehicle or the ability to load or unload passengers with disabilities from the vehicle.
Remedy
Ricon IS conducting this recall (please see 06e008000) and will replace the two vertical arms even if only one arm IS cracked free of charge. the recall IS expected to begin on may 30, 2006. owners may contact ricon customer support dept. At 800-322-2884 or owners may contact thomas bus customer support office at 336-889-4871.
Certain my 2004 through 2006 thomas built hdx, ef, and FS-65 school buses manufactured between october 4, 2004, and february 14, 2006. the body power distribution module (pdm) was manufactured with copper circuits that are too thin for the electrical loads encountered, possibly causing the board to overheat.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the pdm overheats it may generate smoke and could result in a fire.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify owners and will replace the pdm's thin copper circuits with thicker copper circuits. the recall began on june 30, 2006. owners may contact thomas built at 1-877-660-4938.
Owner complaints
1 complaints1 involved a crash
Latest complaints
- Steering › Column
Upper steering shaft pinch bolt not tightened/installed resulting in joint separating from main steering shaft and total loss of steering control.new pinch bolt installed and tightened to factory supplied torque values. Superficial damge to school bus body repaired with replacement parts.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake hose/tube abrading
This investigation was opened after odi received a complaint from a fleet indicating that the brake hoses were rubbing against the transmission dipstick tube.on april 2, 2009, daimler trucks north america llc filed a safety recall to inspected and reroute the affected brake hoses and anydamaged hoses will be replaced.…
This investigation was opened after odi received a complaint from a fleet indicating that the brake hoses were rubbing against the transmission dipstick tube.on april 2, 2009, daimler trucks north america llc filed a safety recall to inspected and reroute the affected brake hoses and anydamaged hoses will be replaced. The recall number assigned IS 09v-114.this recall action resolves the issues raised by this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation IS closed.
- Emergency door handle failure
The office of defects investigation opened this preliminary evaluationafterbecoming aware that fleets were having handle failures on the rear emergency door exit.the failure resulted in the door handle separating from thedoor latch mechanism.when the handle fails, the rear emergency exit door can not be opened from…
The office of defects investigation opened this preliminary evaluationafterbecoming aware that fleets were having handle failures on the rear emergency door exit.the failure resulted in the door handle separating from thedoor latch mechanism.when the handle fails, the rear emergency exit door can not be opened from outside the bus.the failure results from corrosion of the exterior door handle around the securing roll pin and square drive latch mechanism, causing the protective finish to chip and flake.continued corrosion weakens the handle and eventually the handle may break while trying to open the exit door.odi was concerned that during an emergency, a person outside of the bus would break the door handle while trying to open the emergency exit door,potentially delaying evacuation of the bus.under the safety recall, the aluminum handles will be replaced with a more robust handle.the recall action resolves the issues raised by this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation IS closed.
- Side electrical fuse panel fires
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation after becoming aware of two school bus fires that started in the side mounted electrical fuse panel on a pair of thomas built school buses.thefleet owner had reported the bus interiors filled with smoke, certain electrical devices became inoperative…
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation after becoming aware of two school bus fires that started in the side mounted electrical fuse panel on a pair of thomas built school buses.thefleet owner had reported the bus interiors filled with smoke, certain electrical devices became inoperative, and the buses stalled. The two buses involved in the fire incidents have consecutive vin numbers and the fires were similar, but not identical to a previous recall (06v-136) conducted by thomas built.these buses were not included in the prior recall, which involved a defective power distribution module (pdm).after further technical evaluation, freightliner decided they would conduct a safety recall to correct deficiencies in theprevious recall and also expand the population to capture all affected buses.the corrective action freightliner plans to take will be forwarded to odi when available. Accordingly, this investigation IS closed.
- 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.
- Electrical panel fires
This investigation was opened based on four allegations of school bus fires in the power distribution module (pdm) area of the subject buses.during the investigation, odi learned thatbuses built between october 4, 2004 and february 14, 2006 were equipped with pdm?s manufactured with copper circuits that were too thin…
This investigation was opened based on four allegations of school bus fires in the power distribution module (pdm) area of the subject buses.during the investigation, odi learned thatbuses built between october 4, 2004 and february 14, 2006 were equipped with pdm?s manufactured with copper circuits that were too thin for the electrical loads encountered, creatingoverheating and thermal events.also, it was determined that multiple thermal breakers, clustered together on the pdm, together with heat generated from the pdm can generate enough heat to melt the pdm.on april 21, 2006, freightliner filed a safety recall to address this issue.freightliner's remedy IS to replace all the original (thin copper circuit) pdm?s with new improved pdm?s having thicker copper circuits.also, freightliner will replace the thermal breakers with non-thermal breaker or fuses. The recall action taken by freightliner resolves the issues raised by this investigation.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.
- 10129755PAB034, Mileage Rates and Interest
- 10129754PAB033, Insta-Chain Tire Chains
- 10129753PAB032, TBB-SYNTEC Seats with ISO Latch
- 10129752Learning Center Dealer Registration Instructions-2012.07.12
- 10129748Dealer Memo 2012.08.09 New Literature Order Site Announcement
- 1012970812-022-DLR Daimler Trucks Remarketing Corporation (DTR) Now Requires Pre-approval for Repairs $1,200 (USD) and Greater
- 1012970615TL6 W470589129100 ? HDEP HP Fuel Rail Test Caps
- 1012969715CSA10 The Detroit CSC announcing a new feature ? Ability to attach files to an existing CSC
- 1012969615CSA9 Release of DiagnosticLink 8.02
- 1012968915-013-DLR TBB Cummins 10 percent Handling Allowance
- 1012964515Tl5 davco shop pro fxp 95
- 1012964415TL4 W470589050900 ? 3/8? Drive GEN2 Two-Stage Valve Socket
- 1012962715CSA4 Holiday Schedule for the Detroit Customer Support Center
- 1012962215-010-DLR Transmission Cooler Line Photos
- 1012962115-009 New Detroit Standard Diagnostic Times
- 1012881314TL5 ABS Power Line Carrier Converter Available Through PDC
- 1012881214TL2 DD Platform Engine Stand Adapter W060589023100
- 1012881114TS19 DD Platform High Pressure Fuel Lines
- 10128809713-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Combustion Gas in Coolant
- 10128808715-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Coolant Los
- 10128807714-14 Symptom Diagnostics - Low Engine Compression
- 10128806712-14 Engine Coolant Temperature
- 1012878914-028 Remy Extended Coverage Direct File
- 1012878814-027 Detroit's New Consolidated Labor Operations (CLOs
- 1012878614-025-DLR TBB - Changes to PDI Requirements & PDI Claims
- 1012878514-024-DLR DTNA & JAD Highlights - Q1 & Q2
- 1012878414-023 Detroit Axles Pre-Approval Changes
- 1012878314-022 Pre-Approval Threshold Increase From $2,500 to $5,000 USD
- 10128780ICI14-012-DLR Freightliner Cascadia Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only
- 1012874416TS7 Reman Diesel Particulate Filter Serial Number
- 1012873216-011 New Detroit Camshaft Housing Seal Standard Repair Time
- 1012873016-009R_OWL Enhancements
- 10128729New Detroit Bearing Failure Analysis Standard Diagnostic Time
- 10128728Canadian Warranty Parts Return Address Change
- 1012681312-045-DLR New Vehicle Warranty and Extended Coverage Freight
- 1012680912-040-DLR Roof Fairing Removal Program
- 1012680812-039-DLR OWL Pre-approval's Time Frame Increases to 60 Days
- 1012680712-038-DLR - No Problem Found - Policy Claims - During Basic Vehicle Chassis or Base Engine Coverage
- 1012680615-028 New Detroit Coolant Line SRTs
- 10126797_Warranty Recognition Program - Coming Soon
Every Thomas Built Buses FS-65 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.