Model year record

1994 THOMAS Vista

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V309000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
500
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-07
Owners notified
1999-04-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS." THE ENTIRE TOP SURFACE OF CYLINDER H IS NOT VISIBLE AS REQUIRED.

Safety risk

A DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT DEALERS CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

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 96V105000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
6,358
Reported to NHTSA
1996-06-17
Owners notified
1996-09-09

Defect description

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN A SMALL OPENING AT THE FLOOR LEVEL OF THE FORWARD DOOR POST.

Safety risk

A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE SMALL OPENING 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 IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

A FILLER PLATE WILL BE ATTACHED ON THOMAS CONVENTIONALS OR A PIECE OF RUBBER TRIM ON THOMAS VISTAS TO THE FORWARD DOOR POST AT THE FLOOR LEVEL TO COVER THE OPENING AND ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SNAGGING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V087000

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Component
Visibility: glass, side/rear
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
350
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-01
Owners notified
1995-08-07

Defect description

THE ROOF HATCHES ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE EXTERIOR HANDLE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, RESCUE PERSONNEL MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE ROOF HATCHES FROM THE OUTSIDE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING ROOF HATCH LID AND REPLACE IT WITH A LID EQUIPPED WITH AN EXTERIOR HANDLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V040000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
2,133
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-03
Owners notified
1995-06-09

Defect description

IF PAPER OR TRASH FALLS DOWN THE RED DOT HEATER VENTS IT COULD IGNITE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A HEATER FIRE AND AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE CAGE AROUND THE HEATER RESISTOR.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V042000

Equipment: appliance: air conditioner

Component
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
50
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-03
Owners notified
1995-06-09

Defect description

THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE COVERS DO NOT MEET THE HEAD IMPACT REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE COVER FROM THE HEAD IMPACT ZONE AND ALSO REPLACE THE METAL COVER WITH A PLASTIC COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V041000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
804
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-03
Owners notified
1995-05-19

Defect description

THE BRACKET USED TO SUPPORT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CAN CRACK AND POSSIBLY SEVER THE BRAKE LINE.

Safety risk

IF THE BRAKE LINE IS SEVERED, BRAKING CAPABILITY WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REDUCED, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V004000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
3,076
Reported to NHTSA
1995-01-11
Owners notified
1995-03-10

Defect description

THE METAL HOUSING OF THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS ON AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR/EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR SAFETY BELTS CAN BECOME DEFORMED PREVENTING EXTENSION AND/OR RETRACTION OF THE BELT.

Safety risk

PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXTEND OR RETRACT THEIR SAFETY BELTS AND WOULD BE AT A RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HARDENED WASHER WHICH WILL DECREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF DEFORMATION OF THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR. DAMAGED RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V171000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
206
Reported to NHTSA
1994-09-07
Owners notified
1994-12-09

Defect description

RETROFLECTIVE MARKINGS ON REQUIRED EMERGENCY EXITS DO NOT MEET THE LOCATION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE RETROFLECTIVE MARKINGS ARE NOT PROPERLY LOCATED AT EMERGENCY EXITS, OCCUPANTS COULD NOT EASILY IDENTIFY SUCH EXITS IN AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL REFLECTIVE TAPE AROUND EACH EMERGENCY DOOR'S OUTSIDE PERIMETER.

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.