THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE SEAT ANCHORAGES COULD NOT MAINTAIN LOAD OF 5,000 LBS FOR 10 SECONDS.
Safety risk
THE SAFETY BELTS MIGHT NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT SEATOCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS WITH BOLTS OF A LARGER DIAMETER, WHICH MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.
INCORRECT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE PLYWOOD SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME.
Safety risk
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK DOES NOT MEET THE STRENGTHREQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEM". SHOULD THE SEAT BACK FAIL WHILETHE BUS IS IN MOTION, THE OPERATOR COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE BUS.
Manufacturer remedy
REMOVE INCORRECT SCREWS ATTACHING THE PLYWOOD BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME AND INSTALL PROPER SCREWS.
THE DRIVESHAFT USED WITH SOME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATIONS HAD INSUFFICIENT WELDS JOINING SOME OF THE COMPONENTS.
Safety risk
THE BAD WELDS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS THAT CAN CAUSE COMPLETESEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER FOR THEVEHICLE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE DEFECTIVE NORTH AMERICAN DRIVESHAFTS WITH SPICER DRIVESHAFTS.
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
24
Reported to NHTSA
1992-05-19
Owners notified
1992-05-15
Defect description
A BRAKE AIR LINE PLUMBING ERROR CAUSES THE SPRING BRAKES TO BE APPLIED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION WHEN THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE PRIMARY TANK DROPS TO A LEVEL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES THE SPRING BRAKE SYSTEM.
Safety risk
ACTIVATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE SYSTEM WITHOUT OPERATORBRAKE APPLICATION WILL CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED, LOCKING THE BRAKESWITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE OPERATOR.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE AND REROUTE AIR BRAKE HOSE TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 121.
THE CENTER ACTUATOR THAT RELEASES TWO CATCHES VIA TWO PULL RODS CAN BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL FROM POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, LACK OF LUBRICATION, CORROSION, OR A COMBINATION ALL THREE CAUSES.
Safety risk
WHEN THE CENTER ACTUATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, THE WINDOWIS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT IN CASEOF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
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.