RoadVitals

1996 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.
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Newest Aug 12, 2004
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

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

04V398000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aug 12, 2004
2,125 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN 1995 AND 1996 MY THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1995, AND FEBRUARY 29, 1996, WHICH ARE PREDOMINATELY OPERATED ON UNIMPROVED ROADS MAY HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE BUS BODY FRAMING STRUCTURE MEMBERS (RAFTERS) NEAR THE HORIZONTAL WINDOW HEADER WELDS AND AT THE SIDE EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, PASSENGERS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2005. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE A FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-429View 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
97V133000

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
97V030000

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
97V020000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Feb 18, 1997
55 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE BUSES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GVWR) OF 36,200, DO NOT MEET THE BRAKE SIZE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS," FOR VEHICLES OF THAT GVWR.
The risk: THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE THE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. THE REPAIR WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE ORIGINAL REAR SLACK ADJUSTERS AND FRONT BRAKE CHAMBERS AND INCREASING THE AIR RESERVOIR VOLUME.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V018000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Feb 12, 1997
1,800 units potentially affected
The defect: THE NUT THAT SECURES THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY CAN LOOSEN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTACT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL SHIP REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE TO THE BUS OWNERS. THE REPAIR WILL CONSIST OF REMOVING THE ORIGINAL NUT, LOCATED AT THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, THAT SECURES THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY, AND REPLACING IT WITH A FLAT WASHER AND LOCKING NUT.
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
96V164000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Sep 5, 1996
2,117 units potentially affected
The defect: AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT ON THE FATENERS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT TO THE HANDRAIL.
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: THE EXISTING 1" BOLTS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT WILL BE REPLACED WITH 1/2" BOLTS.
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
96V021000

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

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