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Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Recall 15V425: Bus Emergency Door Handle May Detach, Delaying Evacuation

NHTSA campaign 15V425, reported July 6, 2015, 3,013 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The stem connecting the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode. If the stem corrodes, the handle could detach from the mechanism, making it harder or slower to open the emergency door.

In an emergency, a delayed opening of the door could delay evacuation of the bus and may increase the risk of injury to occupants.

Owners should contact Daimler Trucks North America customer service at 1-800-745-8000, referencing recall FL-685. Dealers will replace the stems or protect them against corrosion at no cost. Check your vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 15V425Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Component
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Problem
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER, 2001-2005 Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2002-2013 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 2013 Saf-T-Liner EFX, 2001-2008 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2005-2013 Saf-T-Liner C2, 2003-2013 Saf-T-Liner HDX, 2002-2003 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2002 Vista, and 2002-2003 TL-960 non-school buses. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
Risk
If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 28, 2015. The recall began on December 24, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-685.
Notes
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.

Affected vehicles

Thomas Saf-T-Liner Conventional20012002200320042005
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2200520062007200820092010201120122013
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX2013
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER200220032004
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner FS6520012002200320042005200620072008
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Mvp-EF200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013
Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Mvp-ER20022003
Thomas Built Buses TL-96020022003
Thomas Built Buses Vista2002