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2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in August 2011 for the engine.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical HDX year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
8
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX recalls 8

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Engine

11V45500043 vehicles affected

The problem
Daimler trucks north america is recalling certain model year 2005 through 2012 freightliner m2, sterling acterra, 7500 & 8500, and thomas built hdx vehicles manufactured from june 23, 2004, through march 15, 2011, equipped with specific mbe900 epa04 and epa07 model engines. The intake air grid heater may short circuit and fail due to excessive internal temperatures.
The risk
A short circuited grid heater could result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix
Daimler trucks will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Repairs will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. The safety recall began on september 12, 2011. Owners may contact daimler trucks toll-free at 1-800-547-0712. This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, campaign number 10v-341.

Fuel system: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings

08V66800024,650 vehicles affected

The problem
Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling 24,650 school and non-school buses, motor home chassis, and trucks manufactured from march 9, 2004 through august 18, 2006, equipped with epa04 certified mbe900 engines, manufactured by detroit diesel between march 1, 2004, and july 31, 2006. The high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture.
The risk
A fractured fuel line may leak diesel fuel possibly resulting in a fire or fuel may be spilled on the road causing a slippery surface, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Detroit diesel will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired with more robust lines and vibration dampers free of charge. Repairs will be performed by authorized detroit diesel distributorships. The recall began on march 9, 2009. Owners may contact detroit diesel 1-313-592-3708 or dtna toll-free at 1-800-547-0712 for more information.

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

08V62200018,198 vehicles affected

The problem
Daimler trucks is recalling 18,198 my 2003-2009 thomas built er, mvp-er, hdx, and mvp-ef school and transit buses equipped with a dual power switch and manufactured from february 1, 2002 through october 17, 2008. Solid state circuit breakers may trip unnecessarily potentially resulting in a loss of power to the bus chassis and body electrical circuits causing an unexpected loss of engine power and exterior lighting.
The risk
Unexpected loss of engine power and exterior lighting could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Thomas built bus dealers will replace the solid state dual power switch with a mechanical circuit production (mega fuse). The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact thomas built at 1-336-889-4871.

Equipment adaptive / mobility

08V088000760 vehicles affected

The problem
Daimler trucks is recalling 760 my 2003-2007 thomas built school buses manufactured between july 6, 2005 and july 19, 2006, equipped with braun wheelchair lifts, models nl, ncl, or nvl. The threshold warning systems of the subject model wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, Platform lift systems for motor vehicles.
The risk
Should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured.
The fix
Daimler trucks will notify owners and provide a free remedy which will be performed by thomas built dealerships. The recall began on august 8, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.

Structure: hinge and attachments

08V087000243,435 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

07V54400033,303 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain 2001 through 2008 thomas built fs-56, er, mvp er, hdx, and mvp ef school buses manufactured from october 23, 2000, through january 24, 2006, equipped with tyco pc board and type ii auto reset circuit breakers. Type ii auto reset circuit breaker temperatures may exceed the rating of the tyco pc board causing the boards to melt potentially resulting in a vehicle fire.
The risk
A vehicle fire can occur possibly resulting in a crash.
The fix
Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses by replacing the type ii auto reset circuit breakers with manual circuit breakers, and the jumper cable. The recall began on march 28, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built customer support office at 336-889-4871.

Equipment adaptive / mobility

06V15000045 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain my 2004-2007 thomas built minotour, fs65, mvp-ef, and hdx model school buses, manufactured between june 16 and july 1, 2005, equipped with ricon wheelchair lifts. Cracks in the lift arms may allow the mechanism to twist during stowage, preventing closure of the safety interlock switches.
The risk
In the event this condition occurs during passenger operations it may not be possible to close the lift door causing the vehicle interlocks to remain engaged preventing movement of the vehicle or the ability to load or unload passengers with disabilities from the vehicle.
The fix
Ricon is conducting this recall (please see 06e008000) and will replace the two vertical arms even if only one arm is cracked free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on may 30, 2006. Owners may contact ricon customer support dept. At 800-322-2884 or owners may contact thomas bus customer support office at 336-889-4871.

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

06V13600011,666 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain my 2004 through 2006 thomas built hdx, ef, and fs-65 school buses manufactured between october 4, 2004, and february 14, 2006. The body power distribution module (pdm) was manufactured with copper circuits that are too thin for the electrical loads encountered, possibly causing the board to overheat.
The risk
If the pdm overheats it may generate smoke and could result in a fire.
The fix
Thomas built will notify owners and will replace the pdm's thin copper circuits with thicker copper circuits. The recall began on june 30, 2006. Owners may contact thomas built at 1-877-660-4938.

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No complaints about the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

Thomas Built Buses HDX: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20092601Electrical systemC
20080800-C
200701200-D
200601200-D
20050800-C
20040700-C
20030400-B
20020200-A
20010200-A
All HDX years

2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX080C
2005 Thomas Built Buses Minotour1140CCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX

Does the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX: engine (August 2011); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (December 2008); fuses and circuit breakers (November 2008); equipment adaptive / mobility (February 2008) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 42 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Thomas Built Buses HDX year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2005 Thomas Built Buses HDX has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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