RoadVitals

1996 Thomas Conventional Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

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
Recall campaignsA 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.
11
Newest Nov 3, 2000
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA 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.
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Recall campaigns

11 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

00V360000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Nov 3, 2000
11,500 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A STORAGE COMPARTMENT OVERHEAD TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER FAIL TO MEET FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: CONTACT WITH THIS STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT MEET THE IMPACT ZONE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD PADDING TO THE SIDES OF THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 8, 2002. 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 1-336-889-4871.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V362000

SEATS

Nov 3, 2000
6,500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
99V173000

SEATS

Jul 2, 1999
2,175 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. RESTRAINING BARRIERS AND REINFORCEMENT PLATES MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. NUTS USED TO SECURE THE PLATE THE FLOOR MAY BE MISSING OR THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE MAY BE MOUNTED IN A NON-STANDARD LOCATION. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BARRIERS AND PLATES, INSTALL ANY NUTS THAT ARE MISSING, AND MOUNT THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE CORRECTLY.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
99V175000

SEATS

Jul 2, 1999
744 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSION DRIVER SEAT. TETHER BELTS USED TO ANCHOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE FLOOR WERE NOT INSTALLED ON BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR RIDE DRIVER SEAT. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE TETHER BELT ASSEMBLY.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V309000

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Dec 7, 1998
500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V229000

SEATS

Sep 17, 1998
4,300 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V192000

SEATS

Nov 1, 1997
2,391 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The 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.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V031000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Mar 5, 1997
24,082 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR 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.
The risk: IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH IN THE OPENING, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FORWARD DOOR POST TO VERIFY THAT THE OPENING IS COMPLETELY ELIMINATED, AND IF NECESSARY, WILL INSTALL SEALANT IN ANY REMAINING PORTION OF THE OPENING.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V178008

SEATS

Jan 13, 1997
38 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ISRINGHAUSEN SEATS IN THE DRIVER POSITION. TWO WELDS LOCATED ON THE BACK REST ADJUSTMENT SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME DID NOT MEET THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.
The risk: IF THESE WELDS WERE NOT TO SPECIFICATION, BACK REST LOADS COULD CAUSE THE WELDS TO FAIL. THE BACK REST WOULD DISENGAGE FROM THE SEAT FRAME ALLOWING LOSS OF SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S TORSO AND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: ISRINGHAUSEN IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE SEATS AND REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V189000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Oct 1, 1996
18 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FITTINGS USED TO SECURE THE SCHOOL BUS SEATS OR WHEEL CHAIR TIE-DOWNS TO THE TRACK USED IN THE TRACK SEATING SYSTEM DO NOT SEAT PROPERLY RESULTING IN NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FITTINGS AND REPLACE THE IMPROPERLY MACHINED TRACK IF NECESSARY.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V139000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Jul 23, 1996
120,371 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
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 SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The 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.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
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.
Safety investigation
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.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources