NHTSA Complaint #10423400 — 2003 THOMAS BUILT BUSES SAF-T-LINER C2

UNDERBODY CNG FUEL CYLINDER(S) WERE DISCOVERED TO HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WITH INSUFFICIENT OVERHEAD CLEARANCE. THE FORWARD MOST CYLINDER (1 OF 5) WAS MOUNTED WITH AN INTERFERENCE FIT AGAINST SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. CYLINDER WRAPPING WAS DAMAGED. OTHER CYLINDERS ON THIS AND SIMILAR THOMAS TRANSIT SCHOOL BUSES HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH WELL UNDER THE .5 INCH CLEARANCE RECOMMENDED BY DOT, CHP, AND THE NGV INDUSTRY. THE BUS MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO ADDRESS THE OEM DESIGN DEFECT, SUBSEQUENT CYLINDER DAMAGE, AND IMMINENT SAFETY CONCERN, ON THIS SCHOOL BUS DUE TO ITS BEING OUT OF STANDARD WARRANTY. LATER MODEL YEAR THOMAS CNG TRANSIT BUSES USE SIMILAR METHODS OF CYLINDER MOUNTING.