The defect
CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS AND THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND/NEWAY AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.
The risk
THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN FOR THOMAS BUILT OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006; AND FOR FREIGHTLINER OWNERS ON APRIL 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Freightliner American Lafrance | 2004 |
| Freightliner | 2004 |
| Freightliner Sterling | 2004 |
| Freightliner Western Star | 2004 |
| Thomas School Bus | 2004 |
Components: SUSPENSION
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner American Lafrance | 2004 | 0 | 1 |
| Freightliner | 2004 | 4 | 1 |
| Freightliner Sterling | 2004 | 0 | 1 |
| Freightliner Western Star | 2004 | 0 | 1 |
| Thomas School Bus | 2004 | 1 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2005
37 of the 562 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2005 concerned the suspension; FREIGHTLINER LLC filed 99 campaigns in all.
| 05V545000 30 Nov 2005 | WELD-IT COMPANY |
| 05V544000 30 Nov 2005 | WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION |
| 05V542000 30 Nov 2005 | HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD |
| 05V546000 29 Nov 2005 | BENTLEY MOTORS LTD |
| 05V538000 21 Nov 2005 | APRILIA USA, INC. |
| 05V514000 10 Nov 2005 | FORETRAVEL, INC. |
| 05V508000 3 Nov 2005 | STOUGHTON TRAILERS, LLC |
| 05V493000 25 Oct 2005 | GREAT DANE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2005