NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation SQ98027
Investigation · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. · STRUCTURE
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
ROOF HATCH DETACHMENT
THE THOMAS BUILT BUS COMPANY INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN CANADA FOR 98 MODEL YEAR 1993 SERIES 8600 SCHOOL BUSES TO INSTALL SAFETY CABLES ON THE ROOF HATCHES TO PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE HATCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HINGE POP RIVETS FAIL.THE SEPARATED ROOF HATCHES BECOME A HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES.AN SQ WAS OPENED TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER SIMILAR SCHOOL BUSES IN THE U.S. HAVE THE SAME ROOF HATCHES INSTALLED.ON OCTOBER 29, 1998, MS. WANDA AURTIS OF THOMAS BUILT STATED THAT THE BUSES WERE BUILT TO THE SPECIFICATIONS REQUIRED IN MANITOBA, CANADA.THERE ARE REPORTEDLY NO SIMILAR THOMAS BUILT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH THESE ROOF HATCHES IN THE U.S.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- SQ98027
- Investigation type
- Investigation (SQ)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Component
- STRUCTURE
- Opened
- Oct 29, 1998
- Closed
- Nov 24, 1998
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
1 model year across 1 model
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.