Investigations
Blocked Fuel Delivery Resulting in Stall
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13006 - closed, opened 2013-03-18.
NHTSA investigation PE13006 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-03-18 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-08-26 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE13006 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI was made aware of multiple allegations of engine stall resulting from a loose barcode sticker in the fuel tank of certain model year (MY) 2012 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner transit style buses manufactured by Thomas Built..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
ODI was made aware of multiple allegations of engine stall resulting from a loose barcode sticker in the fuel tank of certain model year (MY) 2012 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner transit style buses manufactured by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (TBB). The loose barcode sticker from a diesel powered cab heater (installed in some cold weather state buses) may become lodged in the fuel delivery pickup tube and restrict fuel flow. Early analysis suggested that at least one failure resulted in a school bus being stranded on an interstate highway. Additionally, ODI identified 6 Early Warning Reporting (EWR) reports that appear related to the alleged defect, and TBB informed ODI that it was aware of nine (9) other related field reports for a total of fifteen (15) alleged incidents. Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), parent company of TBB, submitted a recall notice dated August 13, 2013 (13V-365 for school buses and 13V-364 for non-school buses) that addresses ODI's concerns. Fuel tanks will be inspected for the presence of a label. If a label is found, it will be removed from the tank. As a result of the DTNA remedial action this investigation is closed.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.