The 2004 Thomas Built C2 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,100 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
PARKING BRAKE06V0850002006-03-28250 affected
Defect
CERTAIN MY 2004-2006 FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS B2 SCHOOL BUSES AND THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH AIR OR HYDRAULIC BRAKES WITH A ONE VALVE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM AND PARK BRAKE RELEASE INTERLOCK MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 17, 2004, AND FEBRUARY 20, 2006. AT HIGHER VEHICLE LOADS, THE PARKING BRAKES MAY NOT FULLY…
Consequence
A BUS MAY ROLL IF THE DRIVER RELEASES THE SERVICE BRAKES BEFORE THE PARKING BRAKES FULLY APPLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR INJURE PASSENGERS ENTERING OR LEAVING THE BUS.
Remedy
FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE PARK BRAKE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
PARKING BRAKE05V4680002005-10-053,850 affected
Defect
CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2005. THE ANCHOR/PIVOT BOLT SUPPLIED WITH THE PARK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FATIGUE FRACTURE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE PARK BRAKE FAILING TO APPLY.
Consequence
IF THE PARK BRAKE ANCHOR BOLT FATIGUES AND ULTIMATELY FRACTURES, THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT FUNCTION AND THERE MAY BE NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER OF THE MALFUNCTION WHEN THE PARK BRAKE IS SET. THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE ANCHOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE
1
TIRES:MARKINGS
1
Total complaints2
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I have a complaint about a product our state uses on it's school bus units. The state buys school bus retreads (called bead to bead retreads) that cover up the original manufacturer's name, dot , load range and other vital information. Does the tread act cover school bus sized (11r22.5) tires? The…”
“Tl*- the contact stated that the 2004 thomas built school bus' cowl separated from the body of the bus. The contact called the manufacturer, and was denied the repairs because the school was supposed to tighten all the cowl mounting bolts every 6 months. The contact called the ponder equipment…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Thomas Built C2 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.