NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 Thomas FS-65 Recalls & Complaints
The 2004 Thomas FS-65 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Thomas FS-65. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2004 Thomas FS-65 owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2004 Thomas FS-65, describing incidents dated January 4, 2008.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10215554 · Filed
AFTER START-UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH PANEL. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY MINUTES 10 LATER WHEN THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED; TIME LINE IS THE BEST WE CAN DETERMINE FROM VIDEO FOOTAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATE AND THE BUS…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Thomas FS-65 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA07-002: STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
Closed July 12, 2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID
NHTSA #05V426000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice
Reported September 20, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 1,630 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-455 · Owners notified January 20, 2006 · Vehicles built January 24, 2004 – June 15, 2005 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND FB-65 SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7 ENGINES AND REVISED COOLING PACKAGES AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 24, 2004, AND JUNE 15, 2005. THE FRONT HYDRAULIC LINE MAY RUB THROUGH ON A RADIATOR TUBE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE FRONT BRAKES.
Safety consequence
THE DEFECT MAY CAUSE THE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO PROVIDE MORE CLEARANCE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
MICHELIN/RAPID AIR LOSS
NHTSA #04T023000 · Tires · NHTSA notice
Reported December 22, 2004 · MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 4,000 vehicles
Owners notified December 27, 2004
Defect description
CERTAIN MICHELIN XDE COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES, SIZE 10R22.5 LRG AND LRF FOR USE ON FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THESE TIRES WERE MANFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 23 AND OCTOBER 24, 2004, CAN EXPERIENCE RAPID AIR LOSS DUE TO AN IRREGULARITY OF THE INNER LINER.
Safety consequence
RAPID AIR LOSS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
MICHELIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MICHELIN AT 888-622-2306.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Thomas FS-65 model years
Check your 2004 Thomas FS-65 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas FS-65 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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