RoadVitals

1986 Thomas School Bus 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 May 6, 1996
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

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

96V080000

STRUCTURE:BODY

May 6, 1996
13,545 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DOOR HINGES WERE NOT SHIELDED AND CAN SNAG EXITING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING OR ACCESSORIES.
The risk: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL HINGE PADS TO PREVENT THE SNAGGING OF PASSENGER'S CLOTHING.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V054000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Mar 26, 1996
4,500 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
The risk: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V032001

STRUCTURE:BODY

Mar 29, 1993
87,000 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
The risk: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
92V013000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Jan 3, 1992
7,500 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CENTER ACTUATOR THAT RELEASES TWO CATCHES VIA TWO PULL RODS CAN BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL FROM POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, LACK OF LUBRICATION, CORROSION, OR A COMBINATION ALL THREE CAUSES.
The risk: WHEN THE CENTER ACTUATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, THE WINDOWIS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT IN CASEOF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V006000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Oct 3, 1991
2,986 units potentially affected
The defect: RELEASE HANDLE FOR REAR PUSH OUT WINDOW IS NOT LOCATED IN AREA REQUIRED BY S5.2.3.1(B) OF FMVSS 217.
The risk: BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARDS; IN AN EMERGENCY,EXIT FROM THE PUSH-OUT WINDOW COULD BE HAMPERED.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW INTERIOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V196000

SEATS

Nov 23, 1990
1,083 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SEAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH ENERGY ABSORPTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 222.
The risk: THE REAR FACING SEATS HAD ONLY ONE THIRD OF THE REQUIREDENERGY ABSORPTION; A PASSENGER USING THIS SEAT COULD BE INJURED IN A SUDDEN STOPOR AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW FOLDUP SEATS WITH APPROPRIATE FASTENERS.
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