Model year record

1994 THOMAS School BUS

4 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 96V065000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
37,717
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-15
Owners notified
1996-06-12

Defect description

THE FASTENERS USED TO SECURE THE MOUNTING FOOT OF EITHER FORWARD OR REARWARD HANDRAILS COULD BE INSTALLED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO ALLOW THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE NUT USED IN NHTSA'S HANDRAIL INSPECTION PROCEDURE WILL CATCH BETWEEN THE FASTENERS.

Safety risk

A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND IF 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 BECOMING CAUGHT.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V120000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
285
Reported to NHTSA
1994-06-27
Owners notified
1994-09-30

Defect description

A CABLE INSTALLED TO TEMPORARILY BYPASS THE NEUTRAL SWITCH TO ENABLE THE ENGINE TO BE STARTED WAS NOT REMOVED AT DELIVERY. THE CABLE ALLOWS THE BUS TO BE STARTED WHILE IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE DRIVE GEAR.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STARTING A BUS IN A DRIVE GEAR CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TEMPORARY CABLE AND INSTALL A NEW RELAY.

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.