The problem
Certain my 2006 and 2007 thomas built buses minotour school buses manufactured between july 1, 2005, and november 1, 2006, equipped with a wheelchair lift option. Plastic zip ties found around the wheelchair lift interlock switches may prevent the switch from operating, defeating the interlock function allowing the vehicle to be driven with the lift still deployed.
The risk
Moving the vehicle with the lift deployed could cause injury to bystanders or a crash.
The fix
Freightliner will notify owners and inspect the buses. Any plastic ties found on the switches will be removed. The recall began on may 21, 2007. Owners can contact freightliner customer assistance center at 800-385-4357.
Contacts
Freightliner recall no. Fl-490. 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.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 07V040000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.