← New search

2005 Thomas Built Buses Minotour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Minotour years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

1 reports
162,064 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Structure

I REPRESENT CECIL COLLEGE IN NORTH EAST MD. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 10V-393 CONCERNING OUR THOMAS BUILT BUS. THIS WAS A RE-NOTIFICATION DATED AUGUST 2012. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE FIRST ONE. ON 9/18/12, I CALLED AMERICAN BUS IN ANNAPOLIS MD (410-224-9775) AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. [XXX] WAS GOIN…

Read full complaint

I REPRESENT CECIL COLLEGE IN NORTH EAST MD. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 10V-393 CONCERNING OUR THOMAS BUILT BUS. THIS WAS A RE-NOTIFICATION DATED AUGUST 2012. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE FIRST ONE. ON 9/18/12, I CALLED AMERICAN BUS IN ANNAPOLIS MD (410-224-9775) AND SPOKE WITH [XXX] IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. [XXX] WAS GOING TO ORDER THE CLIP REQUIRED, MAIL IT TO ME, AND OUR FLEET MECHANIC WOULD INSTALL IT. AFTER THAT, I WAS GOING TO EMAIL A PICTURE OF THE COMPLETED WORK TO SATISFY THE RECALL. I HAVE CALLED [XXX] NINE TIMES SINCE 9/18/12, AND EACH TIME [XXX] TELLS ME THE PART IS ON BACKORDER. IT HAS BEEN 60 DAYS, AND I FELT I MUST NOTIFY YOU. [XXX] SAID THE CLIP WAS ORDERED FROM THOMAS BUS. I CALLED THOMAS BUS ON 11/14/12, AND KEPT GETTING BOUNCED AROUND FROM ONE PERSON TO THE NEXT. FINALLY, I LEFT MY NUMBER WITH [XXX], THOMAS BUS WARRANTY/RECALL DEPARTMENT ([XXX]) BUT SHE HASN'T CALLED ME BACK. [XXX] HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY NICE THROUGH THIS ORDEAL AND I HAVE ALWAYS RECEIVED GOOD SERVICE FROM AMERCIAN BUS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITH THOMAS BUS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485123

Official recalls

14

19V170000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Mar 5, 2019

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2003-2019 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on a Ford chassis equipped with a specific wheelchair lift option. The wheelchair lift can be operated without the parking brake being engaged after they key is turned off.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: When the vehicle is in neutral with the ignition and the parking brake off, the vehicle may move. Using the wheelchair lift during this time can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will modify the wheelchair lift wiring harness, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on April 10, 2019. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-811.

18V330000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

May 17, 2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour transit buses built on a Ford chassis and equipped with an optional wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift may be allowed to operate when the vehicle is in neutral or drive, due to missing relay in the interlock wiring harness.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle can be moved while the wheelchair lift is being used, there is an increased the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift wiring, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 19, 2018. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-770.

18V301000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

May 8, 2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2018 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on a Ford chassis and equipped with an optional wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift may be allowed to operate when the vehicle is in neutral or drive, due to missing relay in the interlock wiring harness.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle can be moved while the wheelchair lift is being used, there is an increased the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift wiring, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. Daimler issued an interim notification to owners on June 19, 2018. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-770.

18V083000 · Equipment

Jan 30, 2018

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner HDX, FS65, and Minotour school buses, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: DTNA will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Kidde customer service at 1-855-262-3540 or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

11V201000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 31, 2011

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000, THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2009, WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS LIST "D" LOAD RANGE TIRES WITH A RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE GREATER THAN 65 PSI. THE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES THAT REQUIRE A HIGHER MINIMUM TIRE PRESSURE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT LABEL WITH A CORRECT LABEL FREE OF CHARGE OR, IF THE OWNER WISHES, THEY MAY REPLACE THE LABEL THEMSELVES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871 TO OBTAIN THE LABEL IF THEY WISH TO AFFIX IT THEMSELVES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 28, 2011.

11V202000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 30, 2011

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000, 2002 THROUGH 2006, AND 2009 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000, THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2001, WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS LIST "D" LOAD RANGE TIRES WITH A RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE GREATER THAN 65 PSI. THE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES THAT REQUIRE A HIGHER MINIMUM TIRE PRESSURE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT LABEL WITH A CORRECT LABEL FREE OF CHARGE OR, IF THE OWNER WISHES, THEY MAY REPLACE THE LABEL THEMSELVES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871 TO OBTAIN THE LABEL IF THEY WISH TO AFFIX IT THEMSELVES. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 28, 2011.

11V204000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 30, 2011

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2003, 2005 AND 2006 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS FROM APRIL 17, 2000, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. THESE BUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS LIST "D" LOAD RANGE TIRES WITH A RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE GREATER THAN 65 PSI. THE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES THAT REQUIRE A HIGHER MINIMUM TIRE PRESSURE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT LABEL WITH A CORRECT LABEL FREE OF CHARGE OR, IF THE OWNER WISHES, THEY MAY REPLACE THE LABEL THEMSELVES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871 TO OBTAIN THE LABEL IF THEY WISH TO AFFIX IT THEMSELVES. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2011.

10V393000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Sep 2, 2010

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 2004 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2010. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES, MAIN BODY POWER CABLES WERE ROUTED IN THE AREA OF AN UNPROTECTED EDGE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE INNER-FENDER. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS A POWER CABLE MAY CONTACT THE SHARP EDGE. IF UNDETECTED, CONTINUED CONTACT COULD WEAR THROUGH THE POWER CABLE'S INSULATION POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUITED POWER CABLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT AND REROUTE AND/OR REPLACE AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

10V394000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Sep 2, 2010

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 MINOTOUR NON SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 6, 2004 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2010. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES, MAIN BODY POWER CABLES WERE ROUTED IN THE AREA OF AN UNPROTECTED EDGE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE INNER-FENDER. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS A POWER CABLE MAY CONTACT THE SHARP EDGE. IF UNDETECTED, CONTINUED CONTACT COULD WEAR THROUGH THE POWER CABLE'S INSULATION POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUITED POWER CABLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT AND REROUTE AND/OR REPLACE AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

09V219000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Jun 12, 2009

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 216 MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2003 THROUGH JULY 3, 2008. VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN SEAT BACK AND WINDOW COMBINATIONS MAY BE CONFIGURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE EMERGENCY WINDOW RELEASE MECHANISM IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE LOW-FORCE REGION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXISTS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION, IMPROPERLY LOCATED EMERGENCY EXIT RELEASE MECHANISMS MAY DELAY EVACUATION AND INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 1-336-889-4871.

08V648000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 9, 2008

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 2,590 MY 2005 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES WITH GVWR OF 10,000 POUNDS OR LESS, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 26, 2008. THE TIRE PLACARD CONTAINS INCORRECT INFORMATION WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THE TIRE PLACARD MAY LEAD TO TIRE OVERLOADING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NEW LABELS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 3, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.

08V088000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Feb 26, 2008

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 760 MY 2003-2007 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 6, 2005 AND JULY 19, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, MODELS NL, NCL, OR NVL. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEMS OF THE SUBJECT MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

06V150000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

May 3, 2006

CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS65, MVP-EF, AND HDX MODEL SCHOOL BUSES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 16 AND JULY 1, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. CRACKS IN THE LIFT ARMS MAY ALLOW THE MECHANISM TO TWIST DURING STOWAGE, PREVENTING CLOSURE OF THE SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E008000) AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPT. AT 800-322-2884 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUS CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.

06V151000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

May 2, 2006

CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 1, 2005, AND FEBRUARY 16, 2006. THE FLOOR STRUCTURE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT MAY BECOME UNSTABLE DURING OPERATION AND CAUSE INJURY TO PASSENGERS OR BYSTANDERS.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE LIFTS BY ADDING REINFORCEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2006. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUS CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.