NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V378
Manufacturer Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 8

 

Battery Power Cable may Rub and Arc

The damaged battery cable may electrically arc, increasing the risk of a fire.

 

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses equipped with two 8D batteries. The battery power cable may not have adequate clearance between the cable and battery hold down bracket. As a result, the cable can rub against the bracket damaging the cable.

 

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery cable routing, rerouting it as necessary to provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 6, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-768.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check for Daimler Trucks North America Recalls

 

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Defect Information Report

(Section 573.6)

FL-768

Date of Submission: June 7, 2018

Manufacturer:	Daimler Trucks North America LLC P.O. BOX 3849 Portland, Oregon 97208
Type of Report:	X Safety Defect             O Non-Compliance

 

Vehicle Information

Model Yr. Start: 2018                         Model Yr. End: 2018

Make: Thomas Built Bus

Model: Saf-T-Liner C2 Non School Bus

 

Production Dates: Begin: 09/28/2017 End: 02/19/2018

 

Descriptive Information:

Certain TBB Saf-T-Liner C2 Non School Bus with 2 8D batteries.

Number potentially involved: 8

Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 100%

 

Defect / Noncompliance Description

For this Defect/Noncompliance:

Describe the defect or noncompliance:

On certain TBB Saf-T-Liner C2 Non School Bus, a battery power cable may be routed with inadequate clearance between the cable and a battery hold down bracket when the battery tray is pulled out for service. This reduced clearance may cause the cable to rub against the hold down bracket potentially damaging the cable and leading to arcing.

 

If a noncompliance, provide the applicable FMVSS:

N/A

Describe the safety risk:

A potential battery cable short between the cable and hold down bracket could increase the risk of a fire.

If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component. N/A

 

Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination

Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision:

In March 2018 DTNA received information of a potential battery cable rub on certain Saf-T-Liner C2 School Bus (when the battery tray is pulled out for service) and began a defect investigation. In April 2018 DTNA decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall on certain Saf-T-Liner C2 School Buses with potentially inadequate battery cable clearance. In late May of 2018 it was discovered while analyzing the population data, that there were 8 Non School Bus vehicles within the original population. June 1st 2018 DTNA decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall on certain Saf-T-Liner C2 Non School Bus vehicles with potentially inadequate battery cable clearance.

 

Identify the Remedy

Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement.

The power cable will be inspected and rerouted for proper clearance when required. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities. Copies of the reimbursement plan will be submitted as a supplemental report when available.

 

Identify the Recall Schedule

Describe the recall schedule for notifications:

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:	08/06/2018
Planned Dealer Notification End Date:	08/06/2018
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date:	08/06/2018
Planned Owner Notification End Date:	08/06/2018

 

Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-768

DTNA Representative;

 

Andy Jones
Manager
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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Defect Information Report
FL-768

June 7, 2018

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RMISC-18V378-8283.pdf

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

July 5, 2018

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCAK-18V378-3983.pdf

 

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