Model year record

1996 THOMAS SAF-T-Liner

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V398000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
2,125
Reported to NHTSA
2004-08-12
Owners notified
2004-08-10

Defect description

CERTAIN 1995 AND 1996 MY THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1995, AND FEBRUARY 29, 1996, WHICH ARE PREDOMINATELY OPERATED ON UNIMPROVED ROADS MAY HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE BUS BODY FRAMING STRUCTURE MEMBERS (RAFTERS) NEAR THE HORIZONTAL WINDOW HEADER WELDS AND AT THE SIDE EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, PASSENGERS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2005. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE A FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V192000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
2,391
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-01
Owners notified
1999-03-08

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE FLIP SEATS INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REARWARD PUSH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V133000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
8,107
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-22
Owners notified
1997-10-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH IN-LINE SIX ENGINE,"S" TYPE FRAME RAILS AND SIDE MOUNTED BATTERY BOX. THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING ALLOWS THE POSITIVE CABLE TO CHAFE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CABLE.

Safety risk

IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES TO SECURE THE CABLE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V030000

Service brakes, air: drum: chamber

Component
Service brakes, air: drum: chamber
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
695
Reported to NHTSA
1997-03-03
Owners notified
1997-04-28

Defect description

CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.

Safety risk

IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGNS OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V020000

Service brakes, air

Component
Service brakes, air
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
55
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-18
Owners notified
1997-05-12

Defect description

THESE BUSES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GVWR) OF 36,200, DO NOT MEET THE BRAKE SIZE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS," FOR VEHICLES OF THAT GVWR.

Safety risk

THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE THE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. THE REPAIR WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE ORIGINAL REAR SLACK ADJUSTERS AND FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS AND INCREASING THE AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V018000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,800
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-12
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

THE NUT THAT SECURES THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY CAN LOOSEN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTACT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL SHIP REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE TO THE BUS OWNERS. THE REPAIR WILL CONSIST OF REMOVING THE ORIGINAL NUT, LOCATED AT THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, THAT SECURES THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY, AND REPLACING IT WITH A FLAT WASHER AND LOCKING NUT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V178008

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
38
Reported to NHTSA
1997-01-13

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ISRINGHAUSEN SEATS IN THE DRIVER POSITION. TWO WELDS LOCATED ON THE BACK REST ADJUSTMENT SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME DID NOT MEET THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

IF THESE WELDS WERE NOT TO SPECIFICATION, BACK REST LOADS COULD CAUSE THE WELDS TO FAIL. THE BACK REST WOULD DISENGAGE FROM THE SEAT FRAME ALLOWING LOSS OF SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S TORSO AND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

ISRINGHAUSEN IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE SEATS AND REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V164000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
2,117
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-05
Owners notified
1996-12-02

Defect description

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT ON THE FATENERS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT TO THE HANDRAIL.

Safety risk

IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

THE EXISTING 1" BOLTS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT WILL BE REPLACED WITH 1/2" BOLTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V139000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
120,371
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-23
Owners notified
1996-10-08

Defect description

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.

Safety risk

IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

A MOLDED COVER WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE OPENING THAT COULD ALLOW AN ITEM OF A CHILD'S CLOTHING TO BECOME SNAGGED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V021000

Service brakes, air: drum: chamber

Component
Service brakes, air: drum: chamber
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
730
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-29
Owners notified
1996-04-08

Defect description

CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.

Safety risk

IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGN OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBLITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.

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.