CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 30" OR 40" LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR EXITS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 17, 2004, AND JULY 28, 2005. THE TELESCOPING SLIDE THAT HOLDS THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR OPEN IS LOCATED SUCH THAT IT WILL MOVE PAST ITS NORMAL TRAVEL AND THE MECHANISM MAY LATCH ON THE END OF THE SLIDE PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM OPENING.
THE SIDE EMERGENCY DOOR MAY NOT OPEN IF THE LATCH MECHANISM IS IN THE INCORRECT POSITION. OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO USE THE FRONT ENTRY DOOR OR REAR EMERGENCY EXIT IF A SITUATION OCCURRED THAT REQUIRED AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS AT 1-336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-459.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.