Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Subject: 5-Row Minotour Seat Barriers
Models Affected: Specific Thomas Built Buses Minotour
SRW school buses manufactured June 19, 2013, through
August 9, 2013.
General Information
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses (TBB),
has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists on the vehicles mentioned above.
There are approximately 6 vehicles involved in this campaign.
On certain buses, incorrect components may have been used for the installation of the 5 row seat barrier on certain
Minotour vehicles. The use of incorrect components may cause the seat barrier to not perform to DTNA
specifications in the event of a crash.
The correct Barrier reinforcements will be installed.

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.

Replacement Parts
Replacement parts are now available and can be obtained by ordering from your facing Parts Distribution Center.
If our records show your dealership has ordered any vehicles involved in campaign number FL649, a list of the
customers and vehicle identification numbers will be available on AccessFreightliner.com. Please refer to this list
when ordering parts for this recall.
Table 1 – Replacement Parts for FL649
Campaign
Number

Part Number
TBB 69001947
TBB 183618

FL649A

TBB 182254
TBB 183396
TBB 182325
TBB 69003040

Description
HEX FLANGE, SAE GRADE 8, STEEL, NON SERRATED FLANGE, BLACK ZINC
PAD, ASSENBLY, LOWER LS BEHIND DRIVER, POLYFOAM, MAX PASS.GM
SRW 5 ROW
UNDERFLOOR BARRIER REINFORCEMENT, LEFT SIDE FORWARD, 5 ROW
MINOTOUR
JOIST REINFORCEMENT, FLOOR, 5 ROW MINOTOUR
BARRIER PLATE, LEFT SIDE, 7.25 INCH OFFSET, 5 ROW MINOTOUR
SCREW-TAPPING, # 10 ½”, PHILP TRUSS HEAD, TYPE B, .0003 ZINC,
W/LOCTITE
Table 1

Page 1

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Removed Parts
Please follow Warranty Failed Parts Tracking shipping instructions for the disposition of all removed parts.

Labor Allowance
Table 2 – Labor Allowance
Campaign
Number

Procedure

FL469A

Install Barrier Reinforcements

Time Allowed
(Hours)

1.3

SRT Code

174-6794D

Correction Code

12 – Repair Recall/Campaign

Table 2

Claims for Credit
You will be reimbursed for your parts, labor, and handling by submitting your claim through the Warranty system
within 30 days of completing this campaign. Please reference the following information in QuickClaim or OWL:

Claim Type is Recall
Enter the campaign number and appropriate condition code (FL649A).
In the Primary Failed Part Number field, enter TBB 172206
In the Parts field, enter the appropriate kit/part number(s) as shown in the Replacement Parts Table.
In the Parts field, enter the appropriate kit/part number(s) as shown in the Replacement Parts Table.
In the Labor field, first enter the appropriate SRT from the Labor Allowance Table.
For OWL, the VMRS Component Code is 174-018-001 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 for this recall.)
Submit a Campaign Pre-Approval inquiry to the Warranty Campaigns Department for a decision and
authorization number.
Include the approved amount on your claim in sublet/outside purchases.
In the claim story, first note the authorization number and that the claim includes a reimbursement
request.\
Retain the documentation and provide it to Warranty Campaigns or Claims Processing if requested.
When your claim is paid, reimburse the customer the appropriate amount.
IMPORTANT: ServicePro or 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.

Page 2

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

U.S. and Canadian dealers, contact the Warranty Campaigns Department at (336) 889-4871, from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, via Web inquiry at AccessFreightliner.com / My Tickets and
Submit an Inquiry, if you have any questions or need additional information.
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.
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

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Copy of Notice to Owners
Subject: 5-Row Minotour Barrier Reinforcement
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Thomas Built Buses (TBB) has
decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on specific Thomas Built Buses Minotour SRW
school buses manufactured June 19, 2013 through August 9, 2013.
th

On certain buses, incorrect components may have been used for the installation of the 5 row seat barrier on certain
Minotour vehicles. The use of incorrect components may cause the seat barrier to not perform to DTNA
specifications in the event of a crash.
The correct Barrier reinforcements will be installed.
To arrange for repairs, you should contact your local Thomas Built Bus dealer immediately. Thomas will
remedy this defect without charge. The repair should take approximately one hour and 18 minutes 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 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 have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to this notice, you may be eligible to receive
reimbursement. For further information, please contact the Warranty Department at (336) 889-4871, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eastern Time Monday through Friday. To find a dealer in your area please go to www.thomasbus.com.
If you have any questions about this recall, please contact the Warranty Department at (336) 889-4871, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. 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. In Canada, you may contact Transport Canada-road
safety, 80 rue Noel, Gatineau, Quebec J8Z 0A1 or call 1-800-333-0510.
We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle
safety.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES WARRANTY DEPARTMENT
Enclosure

Page 4

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Work Instructions
Subject: 5-Row Minotour Barrier Reinforcement
Models Affected: Specific Thomas Built Buses Minotour
SRW school buses manufactured June 19, 2013, through
August 9, 2013.
Subject: Barrier may not pass FMVSS requirements if these reinforcements are not present.
Note: This Repair Procedure requires the use of a vehicle lift.
1) Before lifting bus, chock the tires and perform two and three.
2) Remove the bolts holding down the barrier on aisle side, retain for reinstallation.
3) Remove bolts holding down seat behind barrier on front leg at aisle, retain for reinstallation.
4) Raise bus on vehicle lift to perform the next steps.
5) Using a flat head screwdriver, loosen hose clamps and detach two hoses that connect to the fuel filler.
(Figure 1)

Figure 1
6) If possible, drain fuel tank to lessen weight of the tank before dropping it off the chassis.
7) Place cart under fuel tank to support tank after releasing it. Tank will need to be lowered enough to
unplug two electrical plugs on sending unit and a fuel hose in that location, as well as the fuel hose at
front of tank. (Figure 2)

Page 5

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Fuel supply from
top of tank

Wiring plugs
to unplug

Figure 2
8) Using 15mm socket, loosen two fuel tank straps from chassis.
9) Lower tank down several inches. Unplug two harnesses from fuel sending unit located on top of tank.
(Figure 2)
10) Disconnect fuel line located beside the two plugs. (Figure 2)
11) Disconnect fuel line at front of tank near driver.
12) Lower the tank to cart and tape up ends of fuel connections to keep fumes from spreading. Store tank in
ventilated area until reinstallation.
13) Weld joist reinforcement channel (TBB 183396) into location shown in Figure 3. (Use the measurement
for joist reinforcement.) Detail shown in Figure 4.

Page 6

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Figure 3

Page 7

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Figure 4
14) In area behind where joist reinforcement was just welded, (between it and the next joist) the nails from
the installation of plywood floor must be broken off to install the floor reinforcement. This can be done by
using a grinder to grind ends of nails off or using a hammer beat them flat against floor sheet. This needs
to be done across to outer area of the frame rail to allow the barrier reinforcement plate to be slid over
the frame rail.
15) To mount barrier reinforcement plate (TBB 182254), it will involve sliding the plate from the outside over
the frame rail into location shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows how to slide the plate over the frame rail.
Once the plate is in place and making sure all harnesses are moved out of the way, weld plate as

Page 8

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536
shown in detail in Figure 6

Figure 5

Figure 6

Page 9

Recall Campaign

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536
16) Re-drill barrier and seat holes using 3/8” drill bit through barrier plate.
17) Install new bolts (TBB 69001947) with existing washers and nuts.
18) Bring fuel tank back over and position underneath vehicle.
19) Raise fuel tank enough to re-connect the front fuel line and the fuel line on top tank.
20) Plug back in two connectors.
21) Reinstall the fuel tank straps using bolts and 15MM socket.
22) Reconnect the two hoses shown in Figure 1 and tighten down clamps with flat head screwdriver.
23) Remove cart and any other items from underneath the bus and lower bus.
24) Remove lower pad on y-post (facing rear of bus) by removing 3 screws May require removing upper pad
first.
25) Install new pad (TBB183618) using existing screws.
26) Install bracket (TBB 182325) in front of barrier as shown in Figure 7 below. This will be installed by
drilling three holes using a G drill bit, and then installing with three screws (TBB 69003140). This may
require loosening the barrier at seat rail in order to get bracket into correct position.
27) Tighten seat barrier back if loosened.

Page 10

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

Figure 7

Page 11

Daimler Trucks
Octobv
North America LLC

Recall Campaign
December 2013
FL649A
NHTSA # 13V-536

TOOLS:
Vehicle Lift
Welder
Jack and table for lowering fuel tank.
Hammer
Drill
3/8 drill bit
G sized drill bit
Flat Head screwdriver
15MM socket

PARTS: (Per bus)
QTY

Part number

Description

4

TBB69001947

HEX FLANGE, SAE GRADE 8, STEEL, NON SERRATED FLANGE, BLACK ZINC

1

TBB182254

UNDERFLOOR BARRIER REINFORCEMENT, LEFT SIDE FORWARD, 5 ROW
MINOTOUR

1

TBB183396

JOIST REINFORCEMENT, FLOOR, 5 ROW MINOTOUR

1

TBB182325

BARRIER PLATE, LEFT SIDE, 7.25 INCH OFFSET, 5 ROW MINOTOUR

3

TBB69003040

SCREW-TAPPING,#10-1/2",PHILLIP TRUSS HEAD,TYPE B,.0003 ZINC,W/
LOCTITE PATCH

1

TBB183618

PAD, ASSEMBLY, LOWER LS BEHIND DRIVER, POLYFOAM, MAX PASS. GM
SRW 5 ROW

Page 12