THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 1997: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Make : THOMAS BUILT	Model : SAF-T-LINER C2	Year : 1997
Build Dates : 1994-01-01 - 2008-03-10
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V087000
Date Owner's Notified: 2008-08-18	Date Received by ODI: 2008-02-26	Date Added to Database: 2008-02-27
Manufacturers Involved: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufacturer's Responsible for the Recall:
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-525
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 243435
Summary: 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 FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.
Consequence: 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.
Report Initiator: ODI		V Report
Regulation Part Number:	Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number:
Notes: DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-525.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.