RoadVitals

1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner 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.
5
Newest Aug 22, 1997
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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Aug 22, 1997
8,107 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH IN-LINE SIX ENGINE,"S" TYPE FRAME RAILS AND SIDE MOUNTED BATTERY BOX. THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING ALLOWS THE POSITIVE CABLE TO CHAFE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CABLE.
The risk: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES TO SECURE THE CABLE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER

Mar 3, 1997
695 units potentially affected
The defect: CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.
The risk: IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGNS OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER

Jan 29, 1996
730 units potentially affected
The defect: CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.
The risk: IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGN OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBLITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:FOOT CONTROL/VALVE

May 2, 1988
7 units potentially affected
The defect: A PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE WAS OMITTED IN FRONT AIR BRAKE PLUMBING THAT IS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 121.
The risk: IF A LEAK DEVELOPS IN THE AIR BRAKE PLUMBING, AIR INFRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED.
The remedy: INSTALL PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
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.

Safety investigations

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

PE94025ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE TREADLE VALVE CORRODES

Opened Mar 7, 1994
Closed Apr 20, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources