FL973 – Insufficient Interior Joint Strength – 2021-2024 Thomas Built SAF-T-LINER C2 School Buses

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Defect / Noncompliance Information Report (Section 573.6) FL973 Date of Submission: 05/09/2023 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: 2021 Model Yr. End: 2024 Make: Thomas Built Buses Model: Saf-T-Liner C2 Production Dates: Begin: 1/24/2020 End: 04/18/2023 Descriptive Information: One particular interior body panel joint formed at the last rafter, near the structure of the D-pillar, on certain Thomas Built Buses (TBB) Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses may not meet the tensile requirements of FMVSS 221 School bus body joint strength. Basis for Determination of the Recall Population: TBB Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses manufactured within the production range listed above. Number potentially involved: 23,603 Estimated percentage of involved with defect: 100% Defect / Noncompliance Description For this Defect/Noncompliance: Describe the defect or noncompliance: On certain TBB Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses, the rear interior joint formed by the D-panel overlapping the side-sheet at the last rafter may not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 School bus body joint strength. Describe the safety risk: A body Joint on a school bus that does not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 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.: Daimler Truck North America. Involved Components Component Name: Side Sheet Joint Component Description: Side Sheet Joint Component Part Number: _____ _____________ Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision: In mid-April 2023, TBB identified a possible production mis-installation at the interior D-pillar joint where the D-panel overlaps the side-sheet at the last rafter. TBB promptly corrected production installation process and began an investigation to determine the scope and potential consequences of the issue. Later in April 2023, while Thomas Built Buses continued working to identify potential affected vehicles, Thomas Built Buses began conducting FMVSS 221 strength testing to determine if the panels, as built, would be noncompliant. In early May TBB conducted a field inspection to further assess the scope of the affected vehicles. In early May 2023, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for certain Thomas Built Buses C2 school buses that may not meet the joint strength requirements of FMVSS 221 at the lower D-pillar. There are no warranty claims, field or service reports, nor any known accidents, injuries, or deaths. 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: 07/08/2023 Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 07/08/2023 Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 07/08/2023 Planned Owner Notification End Date: 07/08/2023 Does DTNA plan to file inconsequentiality petition? ⃝ Yes X No Manufacturer’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL973 DTNA Representative; Sam Geser Sam Geser Manager, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-333 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Daimler Trucks North America, LLC Submission Date : MAY 09, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-333 Manufacturer Recall No. : FL973 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 : 23,603 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2021-2024 Thomas Built Bus SAF-T-LINER C2 Vehicle Type : BUSES, MEDIUM & HEAVY VEHICLES Body Style : OTHER Power Train : DIESEL Descriptive Information : One particular interior body panel joint formed at the last rafter, near the structure of the D-pillar, on certain Thomas Built Buses (TBB) Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses may not meet the tensile requirements of FMVSS 221 School bus body joint strength. Production Dates : JAN 24, 2020 – APR 18, 2023 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : On certain TBB Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses, the rear interior joint formed by the D-panel overlapping the side-sheet at the last rafter may not meet the joint strength requirement of FMVSS 221 School bus body joint strength. 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 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 23V-333 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Component Name 1 : Side Sheet Joint Component Description : Side Sheet Joint – Interior Component Part Number : NR Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : Daimler Truck North America Address : NR NR Country : United States Chronology : In mid-April 2023, TBB identified a possible production mis-installation at the interior D-pillar joint where the D-panel overlaps the side-sheet at the last rafter. TBB promptly corrected production installation process and began an investigation to determine the scope and potential consequences of the issue. Later in April 2023, while Thomas Built Buses continued working to identify potential affected vehicles, Thomas Built Buses began conducting FMVSS 221 strength testing to determine if the panels, as built, would be noncompliant. In early May TBB conducted a field inspection to further assess the scope of the affected vehicles. In early May 2023, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for certain Thomas Built Buses C2 school buses that may not meet the joint strength requirements of FMVSS 221 at the lower D-pillar. There are no warranty claims, field or service reports, nor any known accidents, injuries, or deaths. 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 23V-333 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 : JUL 08, 2023 – JUL 08, 2023 Planned Owner Notification Date : JUL 08, 2023 – JUL 08, 2023 * NR – Not Reported

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