DAIMLER

 

Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6}

FL-832
Date of Submission: October 2019

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
P.O. BOX 3849
Portland, Oregon 97208

Type of Report: 0 Safety Defect Non-Compliance

Vehicle Information

Model Yr. Start: With 538 seat: 2015 and with 53C RTR seat: 2014 Model Yr. End: 2020

Make: Thomas Buiit Buses

Model: Saf-T-tiner C2, Saf-T-tiner HDX, Saf-T-tiner EFX, and Minotaur

Production Dates: Begin: With 538 seat: 08/18/2014 and with 53C RTR seat: 7/5/2013
End: With 538 seat: 08/15/2019 and with 536 RTR seat: 8/15/2019

Descriptive Information:
Certain Thomas Built School Buses equipped with Ta: 538 and 53C seats.

Number potentially involved: 53,528 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 50%

Defect I Noncompliance Description

For this Defect/Noncompliance:

Per SynTec 573 ?ling "in the relevant population, certain speci?c areas of the seat back mallf not meet
the requirements of 55.3.2 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 222.?

Describe the defect or noncompliance:
Per Tec 5 23 filing ?The suspect population of seats were made with styrene blocks that have the
potential to not meet the requirement of 35.3.2 Federal Motor Vehicle .fiafetjir Standard 222?.

If a noncompliance, provide the applicable 
222 55.3.2

   

Describe the safety risk:

Per Tec 5.73 filing ?The suspect population of seats were made with styrene blocks that have the
potential to not meet the requirement of 55.3.2 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 222,
which may increase the risk of injury to the occupants in a crash. There have been NO reported injuries or
accidents related to this defect. 

If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component.
Tec Seating Solutions, LLC

Chronology of Defect Noncompliance Determination

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

March 2019, DTNA received report from Transport Canada of non-complying test results an 2 of 4 seats
tested for lcnee foam impact. DTNA contacted its supplier, SynTec, and Tec launched investigation,
including review of design history, validation and conformance testing, product changes, testing history,
changes in test methodologY. test equipment, manufacturing changes and variability, sub-supplier issues
and other matters potentially contributing to the reported test result. June 2919, DTNA and Tec
representatives visited Transport Canada to review tested seats. Teardown of the seats indicated
variation of the position of the knee styrene block to the seat frame. July August 2019, Tec initiates
various impact tests in an effort to duplicate failure mode. This includes process trials, gluing methods,
styrene positioning, and density studies to recreate field issue. August 2019, Tec initiates design
change to styrene black to improve resisting force as an improvement measure while investigation
continues. September 2019, as a result of internal seat and component level testing, combined with
difficulties in visually identifying manufacturing variation in the positioning of the styrene block, Tec
concludes that a non-compliance could potentially exist on any 539 and 536 seat in the subject
population. September 2019 DTNA with an abundance of caution, decided to conduct a voluntary
recall campaign on certain school buses equipped with Tec 538 and 53C seats. October 2019, Tec
ojficially notifies DTNA of their 5 73 filing.

Identify the Remedy

Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacturer?s plan for
reimbursement.

Seats will be augmented by installation of an additional impact material between the re-bond back and
the vinyl back cover to assure compliance with pertinent requirements. The impact material can be
installed in the vehicle without taking the bus out of service. 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.

DAIMLER

 

Identify the Recall Schedule

Describe the recall schedule for notifications.:
Customer noti?cation will be mode by first class mail using Daimler Trucks North America records to
determine the customers a?ected.

Planned Dealer Noti?cation Begin Date: 12/02/2019
Planned Dealer Noti?cation End Date: 12/02/2019
Planned Owner Noti?cation Begin Date: 12/02/2019
Planned Owner Noti?cation End Date: 12/02/2019

Manufacture?s identi?cation code for this recall (if applicable): FL-832

DTNA Representative;

?aw

Andy Jones

Manager
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs