RoadVitals

NHTSA safety recall

Recall 97V177000: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. · Reported to NHTSA Oct 20, 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.
953
Model years coveredModel years in our database that NHTSA matched to this campaign. Whether an individual vehicle is covered still depends on its VIN.
3
Models covered
3
Grouped from the model years above
Reported to NHTSA
Oct 20, 1997
Production Jan 31, 1997 – Oct 10, 1997

What this recall covers

NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published

The defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.

The risk

BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.

The remedy

OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 17, 1997.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR SEAL 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
97V177000
Units potentially affected
953
Report received
Oct 20, 1997
Production range
Jan 31, 1997 – Oct 10, 1997
Campaign type
Vehicle
Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
Not recorded

Vehicles covered

3 model years across 3 models

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.