THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured December 3, 2009, through February 8, 2012, and equipped with Eaton hybrid automated transmissions. The software controlling the affected transmissions may improperly raise the vehicle's engine speed during downshifts without the driver's input.

Risk: The increase in engine speed may result in unintended acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THROUGH 2013 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER EF, SAF-T-LINER HDX, SAF-T-LINER C2, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 5, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 23, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING INC. (SMI) PROLO ROOF HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.

Risk: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER MVP-EF, AND SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.