repaired · 2019 Q3
Equipment
Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, most often about the steering. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-083 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 30, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65 has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Steering1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
13 recalls
2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Appliance: air conditioner
Risk. IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. INJURY COULD OCCUR TO THE LIFT USER.
Show 9 more recalls
no report yet
Door: hinge and attachments
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION…
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
no report yet
Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. COLUMNS WITH TWO WELDS MISSING MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE AND ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO PROGRESSIVELY BE MOVED OUT OF ITS NORMAL POSITION WHICH MAY CAUSE THE…
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT NOT DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE RICON WHEELCHAIR…
no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. CHAFING OF THE BATTERY CABLE ON THE BRACKET MAY LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS.
no report yet
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Risk. IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED…
no report yet
Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk. IF THE PDM OVERHEATS IT MAY GENERATE SMOKE AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Thomas Built Buses.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other FS-65 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the FS-65 median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Thomas Built Buses FS-65, and the recalls they led to.
- STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSLed to recall 07V-289
- ELECTRICAL PANEL FIRESLed to recall 06V-136
- SIDE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL FIRESLed to recall 07V-544
- EMERGENCY DOOR HANDLE FAILURELed to recall 08V-087
- BRAKE HOSE/TUBE ABRADINGLed to recall 09V-114
In owners' words
What FS-65 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT NOT TIGHTENED/INSTALLED RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATING FROM MAIN STEERING SHAFT AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.NEW PINCH BOLT INSTALLED AND TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SUPPLIED TORQUE VALUES. SUPERFICIAL DAMGE TO SCHOOL BUS BODY REPAIRED WITH REPLACEMENT PARTS.
Own a 2006 FS-65?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.