THOMAS SAF-T-LINER EFX 2013: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 15V425000

Production Dates: 2012-03-29 - 2012-11-14

Manufacturers Involved: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-685

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 3013

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Daimler Trucks North America LLC "DTNA" is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 non-school buses. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.

If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 28, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 'TTY 1-800-424-9153', or go to www.safercar.gov.