RoadVitals

NHTSA safety recall

Recall 97V117000: STRUCTURE:BODY

THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. · Reported to NHTSA Jul 25, 1997

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Units potentially affectedThe manufacturer's own estimate of how many vehicles or items of equipment may contain the defect. It is not a count of failures, and not every unit in the range is necessarily affected.
8,187
Model years coveredModel years in our database that NHTSA matched to this campaign. Whether an individual vehicle is covered still depends on its VIN.
20
Models covered
1
Grouped from the model years above
Reported to NHTSA
Jul 25, 1997
Production Apr 1, 1977 – Jul 1, 1996

What this recall covers

NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published

The defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOORS. AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOMECAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.

The 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 IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

The remedy

THESE BUSES WERE ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V-139. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL SNAGGING POINT BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET. THEREFORE, OWNERS ARE BEING RENOTIFIED TO INSPECT THE ORIENTATION OF THE DOOR CONTROL. IF THE DOOR CONTROL DOES NOT MATCH THE ORIENTATION DESCRIBED IN THE RENOTIFICATION LETTER, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING CONTROL AND THE ORIGINAL RECALL REPAIR PART, REOIRIENT THE DOOR CONTROL, AND REINSTALL THE RECALL REPAIR PART.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 6, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-910-889-4871.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.

Campaign details

Identifiers and dates as filed with NHTSA

Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer's campaign number
Not recorded
NHTSA campaign number
97V117000
Units potentially affected
8,187
Report received
Jul 25, 1997
Production range
Apr 1, 1977 – Jul 1, 1996
Campaign type
Vehicle
Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
Not recorded

Vehicles covered

20 model years across 1 model

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.