THOMAS SAF-T-LINER HDX 2003: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 15V432000

Make Model Year
THOMAS SAF-T-LINER HDX 2003
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
2015-12-24 2015-07-07 2015-07-07

Production Dates: 2002-04-01 - 2005-08-30

Manufacturers Involved: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-685

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 103038

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC "DTNA" is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 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 school buses manufactured from February 5, 2001, through May 29, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on August 25, 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.

Notes

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.