Model year record

1997 THOMAS Vista

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V362000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
6,500
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-03
Owners notified
2001-02-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING'S SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING THE GAS SPRING SHOCK TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER OF THE SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.

Safety risk

IF THE BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED AFTER DEFORMING, AND IS ALLOWED TO BREAK, ITS BREAKING WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY

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 98V229000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
4,300
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-17
Owners notified
1998-12-07

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.

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.

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.