RoadVitals

1997 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.
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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.
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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

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

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
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
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
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
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
98V011000

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

Jan 21, 1998
241 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE VISIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."
The risk: THE DRIVER OF THE BUS MAY NOT HAVE A CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO THE REAR.
The remedy: NEW MIRRORS WHICH INCORPORATE MIRROR ARMS THAT WILL MOVE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS FORWARD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES.
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

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