Recall FL-892 – Incorrect Passenger Seat Configuration/FMVSS 222 – 2018-2022 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner HDX School Buses

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Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6)
FL-892
Date of Submission: June 17, 2021
Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
P.O. BOX 3849
Portland, Oregon 97208
Type of Report: ⃝ Safety Defect X Non-Compliance
Vehicle Information
Model Yr. Start: 2018 Model Yr. End: 2022
Make: Thomas Built Buses
Model: Saf-T-Liner HDX School Bus
Production Dates: Begin: 06/13/2017 End: 12/14/2020
Type: Buses, Medium & Heavy Duty Vehicles
Descriptive Information: Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses with certain seat configurations
Number potentially involved: 9 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 100%
Defect / Noncompliance Description
For this Defect/Noncompliance:
Describe the defect or noncompliance: Certain Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses may have been manufactured with combinations of passenger seats that do not meet the seat back area requirements of FMVSS 222 S5.1.2.
If a noncompliance, provide the applicable FMVSS: 222
Describe the safety risk: In the event of a collision, seats that do not meet the requirements of FMVSS 222 S5.1.2 may increase the risk of injury.
Identify any warning which can precede or occur:
If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component. N/A
Involved Components
Component Name: N/A
Component Description:
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 May 2021 a Thomas Built Buses (TBB) employee identified a potential issue with the passenger seat configuration in a bus and promptly began an investigation. The bus was configured with bucket style passenger seats that are a low volume option. TBB reviewed build records to determine if other buses were built with the same configuration, identifying one other combination of passenger seats that required review. In June 2021, TBB completed its analysis for the 2 passenger seat combinations in questions. June 11, 2021, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for Saf-T-liner HDX school buses with certain passenger seat combinations.
Identify the Remedy
Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement.
Repairs will be performed by Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities. Details of the reimbursement plan will be included in the owner’s notification letter.
Identify the Recall Schedule
Describe the recall schedule for notifications:
The rear passenger seats will be replaced to provide a seating configuration that meets FMVSS 222 S5.1.2. Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Trucks North America records to determine the customers affected.
Planned Dealer Notification Begin Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Owner Notification End Date: 08/09/2021
Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-892
DTNA Representative;
Larissa Stoffels
Executive Manager, Vehicle Safety
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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Amended
Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6)
FL-892
Date of Submission: August 12, 2021
Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
P.O. BOX 3849
Portland, Oregon 97208
Type of Report: ⃝ Safety Defect X Non-Compliance
Vehicle Information
Model Yr. Start: 2018 Model Yr. End: 2022
Make: Thomas Built Buses
Model: Saf-T-Liner HDX School Bus
Production Dates: Begin: 06/13/2017 End: 12/14/2020
Type: Buses, Medium & Heavy Duty Vehicles
Descriptive Information: Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses with certain seat configurations
Number potentially involved: 9 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 100%
Defect / Noncompliance Description
For this Defect/Noncompliance:
Describe the defect or noncompliance: Certain Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses may have been manufactured with combinations of passenger seats that do not meet the seat back area requirements of FMVSS 222 S5.1.2.
If a noncompliance, provide the applicable FMVSS: 222
Describe the safety risk: In the event of a collision, seats that do not meet the requirements of FMVSS 222 S5.1.2 may increase the risk of injury.
Identify any warning which can precede or occur:
If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component. N/A
Involved Components
There is no defect in the manufacturing or design of any components on the bus. The defect is related to the integration of components by Thomas Built Buses. The specific combination of options that result in the defect are;
Davenport seating option D930A39039 in combination with passenger seating options D930136000 and D930036000
Davenport seating option D984539039 in combination with passenger seating options B647999040 and B637999040
Davenport seating option D983539039 in combination with passenger seating options B647999040 and B637999040
Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination
Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision. In May 2021 a Thomas Built Buses (TBB) employee identified a potential issue with the passenger seat configuration in a bus and promptly began an investigation. The bus was configured with bucket style passenger seats that are a low volume option. TBB reviewed build records to determine if other buses were built with the same configuration, identifying one other combination of passenger seats that required review. In June 2021, TBB completed its analysis for the 2 passenger seat combinations in questions. June 11, 2021, DTNA decided to initiate a voluntary noncompliance recall for Saf-T-liner HDX school buses with certain passenger seat combinations. August 2021, all of the affected vehicles in the recall population have been repaired prior to the publication of a dealer bulletin or owner notification.
Identify the Remedy
Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement.
Repairs will be performed by Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities. Details of the reimbursement plan will be included in the owner’s notification letter.
Identify the Recall Schedule
Describe the recall schedule for notifications:
The rear passenger seats will be replaced to provide a seating configuration that meets FMVSS 222 S5.1.2. Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Trucks North America records to determine the customers affected.
Planned Dealer Notification Begin Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 08/09/2021
Planned Owner Notification End Date: 08/09/2021
Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-892
DTNA Representative;
Larissa Stoffels
Executive Manager, Vehicle Safety
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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