RoadVitals

2001 Thomas Conventional Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

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.
4
Newest Oct 31, 2002
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.
0
1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

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

SEAT BELTS

Oct 31, 2002
2,371 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY. THE SEAT BELT SUPPLIER, AMSAFE, WILL PROVIDE A SNAP ON "OVER-COVER" TO OWNERS TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT COVER FROM SEPARATING.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 336-841-5924 OR AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Feb 22, 2002
51 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE BUSES DO NOT HAVE A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN THE WET TANK AND THE SECONDARY TANK.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF A CHECK VALVE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A CHECK VALVE. THE UNITS AFFECTED ARE ONLY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 10, 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 336-889-4871.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
Nov 1, 2001
708 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SYNTEC SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SOME SEATS (1) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FOUR INCH CLEARANCE DURING THE TEST PROCEDURE, WHILE STILL MEETING THE POST TEST CONDITION; (2) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FRONTAL PRE-LOAD WHEN TESTING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; OR (3) WHILE STILL MEETING THE REQUIRED FORCE/DEFECTION, EXPERIENCE WELD BREAKAGE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME AND THE SEAT BACK CUSHION ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2001. 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 336-889-4871.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Jun 26, 2001
16,165 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE MAIN BODY POWER SUPPLY WIRE FROM THE CHASSIS CAN CHAFE ON THE CHASSIS (COWL) SHEET METAL PANEL, CAUSING ARCING AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The risk: IF THE BUS CATCHES ON FIRE, POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSPECTION AND REMEDY PROCEDURES TO BE USED IN CORRECTING THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2001. 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 336-889-4871.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONView 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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

EA04014ClosedEngineering Analysis

SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES

Opened Jun 9, 2004
Closed Dec 20, 2004

SEE ATTACHED FOUR PAGE TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .