NHTSA Recall 08V087000: Hinge and attachments (structure)
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 243,435 vehicles. It affects 9 models including the Thomas Built Buses FS-65.
| NHTSA campaign | 08V087000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer campaign | FL-525 |
| Component | STRUCTURE › BODY › DOOR › HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS |
| Report received | February 26, 2008 |
| Owner notification | August 18, 2008 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation |
Defect
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.
Safety risk
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.
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.
Vehicles covered by recall 08V087000
| Make and model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses FS-65 | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Thomas Built Buses Hdx | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Thomas Built Buses Hdx EF | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Thomas Built Buses Minotour | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 |
| Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Thomas Er | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Thomas Er Transit | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Thomas Mvp EF | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Thomas Mvp ER | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.