THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. filed this campaign with NHTSA on 1994-11-01.
Recall campaignNHTSA 94V214000
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,458
Reported to NHTSA
1994-11-01
Owners notified
1995-02-06
Defect description
THE HOLE IN THE BOLT PORTION OF THE VANDALOCK WAS DRILLED IN AN INCORRECT LOCATION, ALLOWING THE PIN TO BE INSERTED WITH THE BOLT IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE BYPASSING THE STARTER INTERLOCK. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM OPERATING WHILE THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR IS LOCKED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RELEASE AND RETENTION."
Safety risk
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: VEHICLES OPERATED WHILE EMERGENCY EXITS ARE LOCKED RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PASSENGER ENTRAPMENT WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL RIVET A METAL SHIELD TO THE VANDALOCK COVER TO PREVENT PIN INSERTION IN THE EVENT THAT THE PIN HOLE HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
Notes
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; DOOR ASSEMBLY; LATCHES AND LOCKS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH "VANDALOCK" SYSTEMS AT THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS.NOTE: IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-910-889-4871. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.