Model year record

1991 THOMAS School BUS

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V080000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
13,545
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-06
Owners notified
1996-09-16

Defect description

THE DOOR HINGES WERE NOT SHIELDED AND CAN SNAG EXITING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING OR ACCESSORIES.

Safety risk

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL HINGE PADS TO PREVENT THE SNAGGING OF PASSENGER'S CLOTHING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V054000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
4,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-03-26
Owners notified
1996-06-05

Defect description

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Safety risk

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V092000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
423
Reported to NHTSA
1994-05-13
Owners notified
1994-08-15

Defect description

A DECAL WARNING OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER IN USING STARTING FLUID TO START THE ENGINE WAS OMITTED.

Safety risk

IGNITION OF THE STARTER FLUID BY THE HEATING ELEMENT CAN RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT WARNING DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V032001

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
87,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-03-29
Owners notified
1993-11-15

Defect description

PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Safety risk

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V029000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
188
Reported to NHTSA
1993-03-03
Owners notified
1993-03-17

Defect description

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V013000

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Component
Visibility: glass, side/rear
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
24,570
Reported to NHTSA
1993-01-01
Owners notified
1993-08-13

Defect description

THE CURRENT PRODUCTION STATIONARY WINDOW ASSEMBLIES ALLOW THE GLASS TO DISENGAGE FROM THE RUBBER AND/OR FRAME.

Safety risk

THE WINDOWS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217, "BUS WINDOWRETENTION AND RELEASE."

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL TWO RETAINING CLIPS AT EACH NON-COMPLYING WINDOW.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V126000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,526
Reported to NHTSA
1992-09-08
Owners notified
1992-12-18

Defect description

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V013000

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Component
Visibility: glass, side/rear
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
7,500
Reported to NHTSA
1992-01-03
Owners notified
1992-10-23

Defect description

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V169000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
407
Reported to NHTSA
1991-10-01
Owners notified
1991-09-26

Defect description

THE FUEL SHUT-OFF SOLENOID IN THE CUMMINS 6C ENGINE MAY BE FAULTY, CAUSING SPONTANEOUS INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER TO DRIVING WHEELS, POWER STEERING, AND OTHER POWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS.

Safety risk

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SECONDARY LOSS OF POWER ASSISTEDSYSTEMS REDUCES STEERING CONTROL, BRAKING ABILITY, VISUAL SYSTEMS AND OTHERPOWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLEACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID SPRING, ADJUST SOLENOID, REPLACE WIRES, AND VERIFY MAXIMUM POWER REQUIREMENTS TO THE SOLENOID.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V159000

Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection

Component
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
800
Reported to NHTSA
1991-09-12
Owners notified
1991-11-20

Defect description

THE STEERING LINKAGE (DRAG LINK) BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM AND THE STEERING ARM ON THE AXLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED.

Safety risk

THE DRAG LINK COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT EITHER ENDWHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V114000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
22
Reported to NHTSA
1991-07-01
Owners notified
1991-11-11

Defect description

SOME OF THE SPECIAL FASTENERS ATTACHING THE SEATS TO THE FLOOR TRACKS ARE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY AND ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, SEAT OCCUPANTSWOULD BE PLACED AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY FROM SEATS BREAKING FREE OF THEFLOOR; BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SUBSTANDARD FASTENERS WITH NEW FASTENERS.

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.