Side emergency door exit
Defect Summary
Certain 2005 thomas saf-t-liner c2 school buses equipped with 30" or 40" left side emergency door exits manufactured between december 17, 2004, and july 28, 2005. the telescoping slide that holds the side emergency door open is located such that it will move past its normal travel and the mechanism may latch on the end of the slide preventing the door from opening.
Safety Consequence
The side emergency door may not open if the latch mechanism is in the incorrect position. occupants would have to use the front entry door or rear emergency exit if a situation occurred that required an emergency exit.
Corrective Action
Thomas built will notify its customers and will repair the buses free of charge. the recall is expected to begin on march 27, 2006. owners should contact thomas at 1-336-889-4871 or contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Freightliner Llc or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 05V397000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 05V397000?
NHTSA recall 05V397000 was issued by Freightliner Llc on September 13, 2005. It addresses: Side emergency door exit. The recall affects approximately 116 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Freightliner Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 05V397000 or the manufacturer campaign number FL-459. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.