The problem
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses manufactured November 29, 2012, to February 4, 2016. These vehicles use a rubber elbow to connect a coolant line to a heater inside the bus. This elbow may restrict coolant flow and possibly fail as a result of the increased stress on the elbow.
The risk
If the rubber elbow fails, hot coolant may leak inside the bus body increasing risk of injury to the passengers.
The fix
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber elbow with a nylon fitting, free of charge. An interim notice was sent out to owners on July 6, 2016. The recall began on September 20, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-708.
Contacts
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.
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 16V323000.
- 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.