Service Brakes, Air:antilock

NHTSA campaign 00V232011 · announced August 7, 2000 · filed by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. · 4,780 units affected

The problem

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.

The risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

What to do

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2000, TO SCHOOL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE CUSTOMERS. OWNERS OF THE REMAINING POPULATION WERE SENT LETTERS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1997 Thomas Er Transit
• 1998 Thomas Er Transit
• 1999 Thomas Er Transit
• 2000 Thomas Er Transit
• 1997 Thomas Mvp Ef
• 1998 Thomas Mvp Ef
• 1999 Thomas Mvp Ef
• 2000 Thomas Mvp Ef
• 1997 Thomas Mvp Er
• 1998 Thomas Mvp Er
• 1999 Thomas Mvp Er
• 2000 Thomas Mvp Er

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal or repair advice.