CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY

Oct 05, 2005 — Recall Campaign #05V467000

CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE SPINDLE.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 1,100 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

05V467000

Manufacturer:	THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Recall date:	October 05, 2005
NHTSA Campaign #:	05V467000
Units affected:	1,100

Description:: CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE SPINDLE.
Consequeces:: INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD FRACTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective action:: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT FOR THE HEAT TREAT DATE CODE ON THE END OF THE REAR SPINDLES AND REPLACE THE AXLE HOUSING IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER
Notes:: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-460.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.

Affects the following:

2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY Complaints
2005 FREIGHTLINER SEMI, UNIT 1,2 AND 3 WERE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 2 BLEW A TIRE WHICH RESULTED IN THE MUD FLAP BRACKET SEPARATING FROM UNIT 2 AND GOING INTO THE ROADWAY. UNIT 3 STRUCK THE MUD FLAP BRACKET IN THE ROADWAY. UNIT 1 WAS STRUCK BY THE MUD FLAP AFTER IT WAS KICKED UP BY A VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING IN FRONT OF UNIT 1. ALL THREE UNITS CONTINUED ON BEFORE PULLING OVER ON THE RIGHT BERM. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0319-90)*JB;
2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FAN WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.;
2005 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY ST Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY ST. ON APRIL 14, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED NAUSEA, VOMITING, HALLUCINATIONS, DIZZINESS, AND BAD HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING DUE TO EMISSIONS AND EXHAUST LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN A BREAK DOWN TECHNICIAN ARRIVED, HE STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE HOLES IN THE EXHAUST PIPE BELOW THE SLEEPER BED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD ON APRIL 17, 2007 THAT THE VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND RESUMED DRIVING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE CONTACT WAS SENT TO A CLINIC BY FREIGHTLINER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CONTACT WENT TO HER OWN DOCTOR ON APRIL 28, 2007 AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. ON BOTH APRIL 14TH AND 17TH, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSIONS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, # OF CYLINDERS, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN.;
2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MEHCANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE VALVE FAILED AND WAS ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,222.;