Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

Subject: FCCC School Bus Chassis Power Steering Hose Clamps
Models Affected: Specific Freightliner Custom Chassis B2 school
bus chassis (Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2), manufactured
July 30, 2018, through January 15, 2019.

General Information
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Freightliner Custom
Chassis Corporation, has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists on the vehicles
mentioned above.
There are approximately 48 vehicles involved in this campaign.
On certain school buses, a steering gear return hose clamp may not have been installed. If the return hose
separates from the steering gear, this could result in the loss of steering assist and potentially disable the
school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the
vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.
Buses will be inspected for the steering gear clamp. A clamp will be installed if required.
Additional Repairs
Dealers must complete all outstanding Recall and Field Service campaigns prior to the sale or delivery of a
vehicle. A Dealer will be liable for any progressive damage that results from its failure to complete campaigns
before sale or delivery of a vehicle.
Owners may be liable for any progressive damage that results from failure to complete campaigns within a
reasonable time after receiving notification.

Work Instructions
Please refer to the attached work instructions. Prior to performing the campaign, check the vehicle for a
completion sticker (Form WAR260).

Replacement Parts
Replacement parts are now available and can be obtained by ordering the kit and/or part number(s) listed below
from your facing Parts Distribution Center.
If our records show your dealership has ordered any vehicles involved in campaign number FL813, a list of the
customers and vehicle identification numbers will be available in OWL. Please refer to this list when ordering
parts for this recall.
Table 1 - Replacement Parts for FL813
Campaign
Number

Kit Number

Part Description

Part Number

Qty. per Vehicle

FL813A

N/A

CLAMP-SPR STL, 5/8 HOSE
BLANK COMPLETION STICKER

23-12691-000
WAR260

1 ea
1 ea

Table 1

Removed Parts
U.S. and Canadian Dealers, please follow Warranty Failed Parts Tracking shipping instructions for the
disposition of all removed parts. Export distributors, please destroy removed parts unless otherwise advised.

Page 1

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

Labor Allowance
Table 2 - Labor Allowance
Campaign
Number
FL813A

Procedure

Time Allowed
(hours)

SRT Code

Inspect clamp only, no work needed.

0.1

996-F194A

06-Inspect

Inspect and install clamp.

0.2

996-F194B

12-Repair Recall/Campaign

Corrective Action

Table 2

IMPORTANT: When the Recall has been completed, locate the base completion label in the appropriate location on the vehicle, and attach the red completion sticker provided in the recall kit (Form WAR260). If the vehicle does not have a base completion label, clean a spot on the appropriate location of the vehicle and first
attach the base completion label (Form WAR259). If a recall kit is not required or there is no completion sticker
in the kit, write the recall number on a blank sticker and attach it to the base completion label.

Claims for Credit
You will be reimbursed for your parts, labor, and handling (landed cost for Export Distributors) by submitting
your claim through the Warranty system within 30 days of completing this campaign. Please reference the
following information in OWL:
• Claim type is Recall Campaign.
• In the Campaign field, enter the campaign number and appropriate condition code (FL813-A).
• In the Primary Failed Part Number field, enter 25-FL813-000.
• In the Parts field, enter the appropriate kit and/or part number(s) as shown in the Replacement Parts
Table.
• In the Labor field, first enter the appropriate SRT from the Labor Allowance Table. Administrative time will
be included automatically as SRT 939-6010A for 0.3 hours.
• The VMRS Component Code is 014-008-001 and the Cause Code is A1 - Campaign.
• U.S. and Canada -- Reimbursement for Prior Repairs. When a customer asks about reimbursement,
please do the following:
• Accept the documentation of the previous repair.
• Make a brief check of the customer’s paperwork to see if the repair may be eligible for reimbursement. (See the "Copy of Owner Letter" section of this bulletin for reimbursement guidelines.)
• Submit an OWL Recall Pre-Approval Request for a decision.
• Include the approved amount on your claim in the Other Charges section.
• Attach the documentation to the pre-approval request.
• If approved, submit a based on claim for the pre-approval.
• Reimburse the customer the appropriate amount.
IMPORTANT: OWL must be viewed prior to performing the recall to ensure the vehicle is involved and the
campaign has not been previously completed. Also, check for a completion sticker prior to beginning work.
U.S. and Canadian dealers, contact the Warranty Campaigns Department via Web inquiry at
DTNAConnect.com / WSC, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) 385-4357, after normal business hours,
if you have any questions or need additional information. Export distributors, submit a Web inquiry or contact
your International Service Manager.

Page 2

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234
U.S. and Canadian Dealers: To return excess kit inventory related to this campaign, U.S. dealers must submit a
Parts Authorization Return (PAR) to the Memphis PDC. Canadian dealers must submit a PAR to their facing
PDC. All kits must be in resalable condition. PAR requests must include the original purchase invoice number.
Export Distributors: Excess inventory is not returnable.
The letter notifying U.S. and Canadian vehicle owners is included for your reference.
Please note that the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended (Title 49, United States Code,
Chapter 301), requires the owner’s vehicle(s) be corrected within a reasonable time after parts are available to
you. The Act states that failure to repair a vehicle within 60 days after tender for repair shall be prima facie
evidence of an unreasonable time. However, circumstances of a particular situation may reduce the 60 day
period. Failure to repair a vehicle within a reasonable time can result in either the obligation to (a) replace the
vehicle with an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle, without charge, or (b) refund the purchase price in
full, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. The Act further prohibits dealers from selling a vehicle unless
all outstanding recalls are performed. Any lessor is required to send a copy of the recall notification to the
lessee within 10 days. Any subsequent stage manufacturer is required to forward this notice to its distributors
and retail outlets within five working days.

Page 3

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

Copy of Notice to Owners
Subject: FCCC School Bus Chassis Power Steering Hose Clamps
For the Notice to U.S. Customers: This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Freightliner Custom
Chassis Corporation, has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists on specific Freightliner
Custom Chassis B2 school bus chassis (Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2), manufactured July 30, 2018,
through January 15, 2019.
On certain school buses, a steering gear return hose clamp may not have been installed. If the return hose
separates from the steering gear, this could result in the loss of steering assist and potentially disable the
school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the
vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.
Buses will be inspected for the steering gear clamp. A clamp will be installed if required.
Please contact an authorized Daimler Trucks North America dealer to arrange to have the Recall performed and
to ensure that parts are available at the dealership. To locate an authorized dealer, go to
www.Daimler-TrucksNorthAmerica.com. On the menu tab, select “Contact,” scroll down to “Find a Dealer,” and
select the appropriate brand. The Recall will take approximately one half hour and will be performed at no
charge to you.
You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the Recall within a
reasonable time after receiving notification.
If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the identification number(s) which appears on the Recall
Notification, please return the notification to the Warranty Campaigns Department with any information you can
furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. If you have leased this vehicle, Federal law requires that
you forward this notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are a subsequent stage manufacturer, Federal law
requires that you forward this notice to your distributors and retail outlets within five working days. If you have
paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to this notice, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.
Please see the reverse side of this notice for details.
For the Notice to U.S. Customers: If you have questions about this Recall, please contact the Warranty
Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, e-mail
address [email protected], or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) 385-4357 after
normal business hours. If you are not able to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable
time, you may wish to submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236
(TTY: 800-424-9153); or to http://www.safercar.gov.
We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle
safety.

WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT
Enclosure

Page 4

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

Reimbursement to Customers for Repairs
Performed Prior to Recall
If you have already paid to have this recall condition corrected you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.
Requests for reimbursement may include parts and labor. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the
repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Daimler Trucks North America LLC dealer. The following
documentation must be presented to your dealer for consideration for reimbursement.
Please provide original or clear copies of all receipts, invoices, and repair orders that show:
• The name and address of the person who paid for the repair
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired
• What problem occurred, what repair was done, when the repair was done
• Who repaired the vehicle
• The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed
• Proof of payment for the repair (such as the front and back of a cancelled check or a credit card receipt)
Reimbursement will be made by check from your Daimler Trucks North America LLC dealer.
Please speak with your Daimler Trucks North America LLC authorized dealer concerning this matter.

Page 5

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

Work Instructions
Subject: FCCC School Bus Chassis Power Steering Hose Clamps
Models Affected: Specific Freightliner Custom Chassis B2 school
bus chassis (Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2), manufactured
July 30, 2018, through January 15, 2019.

Inspection
1. Check the base label (Form WAR259) for a completion sticker for FL813 (Form WAR260) indicating this
work has been done. The base label is usually located on the front wall under the dash. If a sticker is present, no work is needed. If there is no sticker, proceed with the next step.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires.
3. Inspect for the presence of a hose clamp at the return fitting of the steering gear. See arrow in Fig. 1.
If the hose clamp is present, no further work is needed. Clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259).
Write the campaign number, FL813, on a blank red completion sticker (Form WAR260) to indicate the work
has been completed, and attach it to the base label.
If the hose clamp is missing, go to the Hose Clamp Installation procedure.

Hose Clamp Installation
1. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze the clamp tabs to release the upper hose clamp at the reservoir cap, then
slide the upper hose clamp down to the bottom of the hose. Position the clamp at the connection of the return fitting, then release.
2. Remove the hose from the reservoir cap and keep it elevated to prevent loss of power steering fluid.
NOTE: The new hose clamp is spring loaded.
3. Install the new hose clamp on the hose.
4. Install the hose on the reservoir cap. Position the clamp over the connection and release. See Fig. 1, items
1 and 2.

Page 6

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Recall Campaign

May 2019
FL813A
NHTSA #19V-234

2

1

03/26/2019

f200888

1. Reservoir Cap

2. Upper Hose Clamp
Fig. 1, Inspection for Lower Power Steering Hose Clamp

5. Check the power steering fluid reservoir level and add power steering fluid if needed.
6. Start the engine and check for leaks.
7. Clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259). Write the campaign number, FL813, on a blank red
completion sticker (Form WAR260) to indicate the work has been completed, and attach it to the base label.

Page 7