FL953 – Insufficient Rear Panel Joint Strength – 2020-2023 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses

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Defect / Noncompliance Information Report (Section 573.6) FL953 Date of Submission: _9/14/2022__ Manufacturer: Daimler Truck North America LLC P.O. BOX 3849 Portland, Oregon 97208 Type of Report: ⃝ Safety Defect X Non-Compliance Vehicle Information Model Yr. Start: _2020________ Model Yr. End: _2023_____ Make: _Thomas Built Buses _____ Model: __ Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX____________ Production Dates: Begin: 3/25/2019 End: 7/11/2022 Descriptive Information: The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations do not meet the requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Basis for Determination of the Recall Population: Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and manufactured in the production range listed above. Number potentially involved: _1259_______ Estimated percentage of involved with defect: __100%______ Defect / Noncompliance Description For this Defect/Noncompliance: Describe the defect or noncompliance: On certain HDX school buses, the rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet was found to not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Describe the safety risk: A body Joint on a school bus that does not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1 may increase the risk of injury in a crash. Identify any warning which can precede or occur: NA If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component.: There are no defective or noncompliant components on the affected vehicles. This issue is related only to the joint configuration on the affected vehicles. Involved Components Component Name: ____N/A______________ Component Description: _____ N/A _____________ Component Part Number: _____ N/A _____________ Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision: On or about August 16 2022, Thomas Built Buses identified a school bus built with rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet joints with lower than expected tensile strength. These side sheet joints were identified during a periodic joint strength verification test. Thomas Built Buses immediately began an investigation to determine the scope and potential impact of this verification finding. On August 26 2022, Thomas Built Buses continued working to identify potentially affected vehicles and conducting additional testing. On September 9 2022, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with these 20-gauge side sheet joints and with the certain configuration of fasteners that may not meet the joint strength requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Identify the Remedy Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement. Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles in order to bring the vehicles into compliance. The repair will be conducted by a Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Daimler Truck North America shall be offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which will be posted with owner’s notification letter. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers. Identify the Recall Schedule Describe the recall schedule for notifications.: Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Truck North America records to determine the customers affected. Planned Dealer Notification Begin Date: 11/13/2022 Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 11/13/2022 Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 11/13/2022 Planned Owner Notification End Date: 11/13/2022 Does DTNA plan to file inconsequentiality petition? ⃝ Yes X No Manufacturer’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): __ FL953___ DTNA Representative; Sam Geser Manager, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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Daimler Truck North America LLC IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL See enclosed VIN list November 2022 FL953 NHTSA # 22V-688 (School Bus) Subject: Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX Exterior Side Joint This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses, has decided that certain model years 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured March 25, 2019, through July, 11, 2022 fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 221, “School bus body joint strength.” The rear exterior side body panel joints on certain Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations were manufactured with insufficient joint strength.Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Please contact an authorized Daimler Truck North America dealer to arrange to have the Recall performed and to ensure that parts are available at the dealership. The Recall will take approximately a half hour and will be performed at no charge to you. To locate an authorized dealer, search online at Daimler-TrucksNorthAmerica.com/Contact-us. Scroll down to “Locate a Dealer” and select the appropriate brand. You may also confirm your vehicle’s involvement in this recall at this URL: https://dtna-dlrinfo.prd.freightliner.com:48518/VinLookup/vin-module/getVinLookupPage. You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the Recall within a reasonable time after receiving notification. If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the identification number(s) which appears on the Recall Notification, please return the notification to the Warranty Campaigns Department with any information you can furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. If you have leased this vehicle, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are a subsequent stage manufacturer, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to your distributors and retail outlets within five working days. If you have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to this notice, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Please see the reverse side of this notice for details. If you have questions about this Recall, please contact the Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, e-mail address [email protected]. For other concerns, you may contact the Customer Assistance Center at (800) 385-4357. If you are not able to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 (TTY: 800-424-9153); or go to http://www.nhtsa.gov. We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety. WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT Enclosure Daimler Truck North America LLC Warranty Campaigns Department P.O. Box 4090 Portland, OR 97208-4090 800.547.0712 Phone Daimler Truck North America LLC Reimbursement to Customers for Repairs Performed Prior to Recall If you have already paid to have this recall condition corrected you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Requests for reimbursement may include parts and labor. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Daimler Truck North America LLC dealer. The following documentation must be presented to your dealer for consideration for reimbursement. Please provide original or clear copies of all receipts, invoices, and repair orders that show: •The name and address of the person who paid for the repair. •The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired. •What problem occurred, what repair was done, when the repair was done. •Who repaired the vehicle. •The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed. •Proof of payment for the repair (such as the front and back of a cancelled check or a credit card receipt). Reimbursement will be made by check from your Daimler Truck North America LLC dealer. Please speak with your Daimler Truck North America LLC authorized dealer concerning this matter Daimler Truck North America LLC Warranty Campaigns Department P.O. Box 4090 Portland, OR 97208-4090 800.547.0712 Phone

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Daimler Truck North America LLC IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL See enclosed VIN list November 2022 FL953 NHTSA # 22V-688 (School Bus) Subject: Thomas Built Buses HDX Exterior Side Joint This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on specific Model Year 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured March 25,2019, through July,11,2022. The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations do not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles in order to meet the joint strength required by FMVSS 221 S5.1. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Please contact an authorized Daimler Truck North America dealer to arrange to have the Recall performed and to ensure that parts are available at the dealership. The Recall will take approximately X hours and will be performed at no charge to you. To locate an authorized dealer, search online at Daimler-TrucksNorthAmerica.com/Contact-us. Scroll down to “Locate a Dealer” and select the appropriate brand. You may also confirm your vehicle’s involvement in this recall at this URL: https://dtna-dlrinfo.prd.freightliner.com:48518/VinLookup/vin-module/getVinLookupPage. You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the Recall within a reasonable time after receiving notification. If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the identification number(s) which appears on the Recall Notification, please return the notification to the Warranty Campaigns Department with any information you can furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. If you have leased this vehicle, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are a subsequent stage manufacturer, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to your distributors and retail outlets within five working days. If you have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to this notice, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Please see the reverse side of this notice for details. If you have questions about this Recall, please contact the Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, e-mail address [email protected]. For other concerns, you may contact the Customer Assistance Center at (800) 385-4357. If you are not able to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 (TTY: 800-424-9153); or go to http://www.nhtsa.gov. We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety. WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT Enclosure Daimler Truck North America LLC Warranty Campaigns Department P.O. Box 4090 Portland, OR 97208-4090 800.547.0712 Phone Daimler Trucks North America LLC Reimbursement to Customers for Repairs Performed Prior to Recall If you have already paid to have this recall condition corrected you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Requests for reimbursement may include parts and labor. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Daimler Trucks North America LLC dealer. The following documentation must be presented to your dealer for consideration for reimbursement. Please provide original or clear copies of all receipts, invoices, and repair orders that show: • The name and address of the person who paid for the repair. • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired. • What problem occurred, what repair was done, when the repair was done. • Who repaired the vehicle. • The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed. • Proof of payment for the repair (such as the front and back of a cancelled check or a credit card receipt). Reimbursement will be made by check from your Daimler Trucks North America LLC dealer. Please speak with your Daimler Trucks North America LLC authorized dealer concerning this matter Daimler Trucks North America LLC Warranty Campaigns Department P.O. Box 4090 Portland, OR 97208-4090 800.547.0712 Phone

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Subject: Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX Exterior Side Joint Models Affected: Specific model years 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses manufactured March 25, 2019, through July, 11, 2022. General Information Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses, has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists on the vehicles mentioned above. The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations. Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. There are approximately 1,289 vehicles involved in this campaign. Additional Repairs Dealers must complete all outstanding Recall and Field Service campaigns prior to the sale or delivery of a vehicle. A Dealer will be liable for any progressive damage that results from its failure to complete campaigns before sale or delivery of a vehicle. Owners may be liable for any progressive damage that results from failure to complete campaigns within a reasonable time after receiving notification. Work Instructions Please refer to the attached work instructions. Replacement Parts Replacement parts are now available and can be obtained by ordering the kit and/or part number(s) listed below from your facing Parts Distribution Center. If our records show your dealership has ordered any vehicle(s) involved in campaign number FL953, a list of the customers and vehicle identification numbers will be available on DTNA Portal. Please refer to this list when ordering parts for this recall. Table 1 – Replacement Parts for FL953 Campaign Number Part Description Part Number Qty. FL953A TAPPING SCREW TBB 69003249 22 ea BLANK COMPLETION STICKER WAR260 1 ea Table 1 Removed Parts U.S. and Canadian Dealers, please follow Warranty Failed Parts Tracking shipping instructions for the disposition of all removed parts. Export distributors, please destroy removed parts unless otherwise advised. Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 1 Labor Allowance Table 2 – Labor Allowance Campaign Number Procedure Time Allowed (hours) SRT Code Corrective Action FL953A Install fasteners to rear upper and middle side sheet joints 0.5 996-R160A 12-Repair Recall/Campaign Table 2 Claims for Credit You will be reimbursed for your parts, labor, and handling (landed cost for Export Distributors) by submitting your claim through the Warranty system within 30 days of completing this campaign. Please reference the following information in OWL: • Claim type is Recall Campaign. • In the Campaign field, enter the campaign number and appropriate condition code (FL953-A). • In the Primary Failed Part Number field, enter 25-FL953-000. • In the Parts field, enter the appropriate part number as shown in the Replacement Parts Table. • In the Labor field, first enter the appropriate SRT from the Labor Allowance Table. • The VMRS Component Code is F99-999-005 and the Cause Code is A1 – Campaign. • U.S. and Canada — Reimbursement for Prior Repairs. When a customer asks about reimbursement, please do the following: • Accept the documentation of the previous repair. • Make a brief check of the customer’s paperwork to see if the repair may be eligible for reimbursement. (See the “Copy of Owner Letter” section of this bulletin for reimbursement guidelines.) • Submit an OWL Recall Pre-Approval Request for a decision. • Include the approved amount on your claim in the Other Charges section. • Attach the documentation to the pre-approval request. • If approved, submit a based on claim for the pre-approval. • Reimburse the customer the appropriate amount. IMPORTANT: OWL must be viewed prior to performing the recall to ensure the vehicle is involved and the campaign has not been previously completed. Also, check for a completion sticker prior to beginning work. U.S. and Canadian dealers, contact the Warranty Campaigns Department via Web inquiry at DTNAConnect.com/WSC, if you have any questions or need additional information. Export distributors, submit a Web inquiry or contact your International Service Manager. U.S. and Canadian Dealers: To return excess kit inventory related to this campaign, U.S. dealers must submit a Parts Authorization Return (PAR) to the Memphis PDC. Canadian dealers must submit a PAR to their facing PDC. All kits must be in resalable condition. PAR requests must include the original purchase invoice number. Export Distributors: Excess inventory is not returnable. The letter notifying U.S. and Canadian vehicle owners is included for your reference. Please note that the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended (Title 49, United States Code, Chapter 301), requires the owner’s vehicle(s) be corrected within a reasonable time after parts are available to you. The Act states that failure to repair a vehicle within 60 days after tender for repair shall be prima facie evidence of an unreasonable time. However, circumstances of a particular situation may reduce the 60 day period. Failure to repair a vehicle within a reasonable time can result in either the obligation to (a) replace the Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 2 vehicle with an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle, without charge, or (b) refund the purchase price in full, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. The Act further prohibits dealers from selling a vehicle unless all outstanding recalls are performed. Any lessor is required to send a copy of the recall notification to the lessee within 10 days. Any subsequent stage manufacturer is required to forward this notice to its distributors and retail outlets within five working days. Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 3 Copy of Notice to Owners For the Notice to U.S. Customers: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For the Notice to Canadian Customers: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person. Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses, has decided that certain model years 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses manufactured March 25, 2019, through July, 11, 2022. The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations. Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Please contact an authorized Daimler Truck North America dealer to arrange to have the Recall performed and to ensure that parts are available at the dealership. The Recall will take approximately a half hour and will be performed at no charge to you. To locate an authorized dealer, search online at https:// northamerica.daimlertruck.com/contact-us/. Scroll down to “Locate a Dealer,” and select the appropriate brand. You may also confirm your vehicle’s involvement in this recall at this URL: https:// dtna-dlrinfo.prd.freightliner.com:48518/VinLookup/vin-module/getVinLookupPage. You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the Recall within a reasonable time after receiving notification. If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the identification number(s) which appears on the Recall Notification, please return the notification to the Warranty Campaigns Department in the postage-paid envelope with any information you can furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. If you have leased this vehicle, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are a subsequent stage manufacturer, Federal law requires that you forward this notice to your distributors and retail outlets within five working days. If you have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to this notice, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Please see the reverse side of this notice for details. If you have questions about this Recall, please contact the Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, e-mail address [email protected]. For the Notice to U.S. Customers: If you are not able to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 (TTY: 800-424-9153); or to http://www.nhtsa.gov. For the Notice to Canadian Customers: If you wish to submit a complaint about this recall, you can contact Transport Canada road safety, 80 rue Noel, Gatineau, Quebec J8Z 0A1 or call (800) 333-0510. We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety. WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT Enclosure Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 4 Subject: Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX Exterior Side Joint Reimbursement to Customers for Repairs Performed Prior to Recall If you have already paid to have this recall condition corrected you may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Requests for reimbursement may include parts and labor. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Daimler Truck North America LLC dealer. The following documentation must be presented to your dealer for consideration for reimbursement. Please provide original or clear copies of all receipts, invoices, and repair orders that show: • The name and address of the person who paid for the repair • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired • What problem occurred, what repair was done, when the repair was done • Who repaired the vehicle • The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed • Proof of payment for the repair (such as the front and back of a cancelled check or a credit card receipt) Reimbursement will be made by check from your Daimler Truck North America LLC dealer. Please speak with your Daimler Truck North America LLC authorized dealer concerning this matter. Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 5 Work Instructions Subject: Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX Exterior Side Joint Exterior Side Sheet Joint Reinforcement 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires. NOTE: The main power disconnect switch (MPDS) is located in the battery box compartment. 2. Turn the MPDS to the OFF position. 3. Disconnect the negative battery cables at the batteries. 4. Locate the rear upper exterior side sheet joints. See Fig. 1. 10/28/2022 f750100 1 2 1. Top Rear Side Sheet Joint 2. Middle Rear Side Sheet Joint Fig. 1, Rear Exterior Side Sheet Joints Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 6 Models Affected: Specific model years 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses manufactured March 25, 2019, through July, 11, 2022. 6. Use a number-19 drill bit to drill seven holes in the marked locations. 7. Paint the screws (69003249) with the same colour (school bus yellow, typical) as that of the vehicle body. 8. Install the seven screws, shown in Fig. 2. Tighten the screws so they are fully seated. 9. Repeat the steps 5 through 8 to install four screws on the middle rear side sheet joint, as shown in Fig. 3. 10. Repeat the steps 5 through 9 to install the screws on the other side of the vehicle. 11. Connect the negative battery cables to the battery. 12. Turn the MPDS to the ON position. 10/28/2022 f750101 1 Fig. 2, Top Rear Side Sheet Joint, Additional Screws 10/28/2022 f750102 1 Fig. 3, Middle Rear Side Sheet Joint, Additional Screws Daimler Truck North America LLC Recall Campaign November 2022 FL953A NHTSA #22V-688 (School Bus) Transport Canada #2022-516 (School Bus) Page 7 IMPORTANT: Seven screws are to be installed on the rear top side sheet joint. Figure 2 shows the locations of the additional screws. 5. Starting with the top joint, place a straight edge vertically along the centerline of the existing screws, and mark the center point between each screw. Make sure that each mark is in the exact center, and vertically in alignment with the existing screws.

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Daimler Trucks North America, LLC Submission Date : MAR 24, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 22V-688 Manufacturer Recall No. : FL953 Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Daimler Trucks North America, LLC Address : 4747 N. Channel Avenue Portland OR 97217-3849 Company phone : 800-745-8000 Population : Number of potentially involved : 1,259 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX Vehicle Type : Body Style : Power Train : NR Descriptive Information : The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations do not meet the requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Production Dates : MAR 25, 2019 – JUL 11, 2022 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Noncompliance : Description of the Noncompliance : On certain HDX school buses, the rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet was found to not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1. FMVSS 1 : 221 – School bus body joint strength FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : A body Joint on a school bus that does not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1 may increase the risk of injury in a crash. Description of the Cause : NR Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : NR Involved Components : Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Component Name 1 : 20 Gauge Side Sheet Panel Component Description : Bus Side Panel Component Part Number : Many Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : Daimler Truck North America Address : NR NR Country : United States Chronology : On or about August 16 2022, Thomas Built Buses identified a school bus built with rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet joints with lower than expected tensile strength. These side sheet joints were identified during a periodic joint strength verification test. Thomas Built Buses immediately began an investigation to determine the scope and potential impact of this verification finding. On August 26 2022, Thomas Built Buses continued working to identify potentially affected vehicles and conducting additional testing. On September 9 2022, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with these 20-gauge side sheet joints and with the certain configuration of fasteners that may not meet the joint strength requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles in order to bring the vehicles into compliance. The repair will be conducted by a Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Daimler Truck North America shall be offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which will be posted with owner’s notification letter. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : NR Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : NR Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Truck North America records to determine the customers affected. Planned Dealer Notification Date : NOV 13, 2022 – NOV 13, 2022 Planned Owner Notification Date : NOV 13, 2022 – NOV 13, 2022 * NR – Not Reported

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Daimler Trucks North America, LLC Submission Date : SEP 14, 2022 NHTSA Recall No. : 22V-688 Manufacturer Recall No. : FL953 Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Daimler Trucks North America, LLC Address : 4747 N. Channel Avenue Portland OR 97217-3849 Company phone : 800-745-8000 Population : Number of potentially involved : 1,259 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2020-2023 Thomas Built Buses Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX Vehicle Type : Body Style : Power Train : NR Descriptive Information : The rear exterior side sheet joints on certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with 20-gauge side sheet panels and certain fastener configurations do not meet the requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Production Dates : MAR 25, 2019 – JUL 11, 2022 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Noncompliance : Description of the Noncompliance : On certain HDX school buses, the rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet was found to not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1. FMVSS 1 : 221 – School bus body joint strength FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : A body Joint on a school bus that does not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 S5.1 may increase the risk of injury in a crash. Description of the Cause : NR Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : NR Involved Components : Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Component Name 1 : NR Component Description : NR Component Part Number : NR Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : NR Address : NR NR Country : NR Chronology : On or about August 16 2022, Thomas Built Buses identified a school bus built with rear exterior 20-gauge side sheet joints with lower than expected tensile strength. These side sheet joints were identified during a periodic joint strength verification test. Thomas Built Buses immediately began an investigation to determine the scope and potential impact of this verification finding. On August 26 2022, Thomas Built Buses continued working to identify potentially affected vehicles and conducting additional testing. On September 9 2022, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for certain Thomas Built Buses HDX school buses built with these 20-gauge side sheet joints and with the certain configuration of fasteners that may not meet the joint strength requirements of FMVSS 221 S5.1. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Additional mechanical fasteners will be added to the joints on affected vehicles in order to bring the vehicles into compliance. The repair will be conducted by a Daimler Truck North America authorized service facilities. Daimler Truck North America shall be offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which will be posted with owner’s notification letter. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : NR Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : NR Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-688 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Truck North America records to determine the customers affected. Planned Dealer Notification Date : NOV 13, 2022 – NOV 13, 2022 Planned Owner Notification Date : NOV 13, 2022 – NOV 13, 2022 * NR – Not Reported

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