RoadVitals

1991 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.
11
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.
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

11 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
94V092000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

May 13, 1994
423 units potentially affected
The defect: A DECAL WARNING OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER IN USING STARTING FLUID TO START THE ENGINE WAS OMITTED.
The risk: IGNITION OF THE STARTER FLUID BY THE HEATING ELEMENT CAN RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT WARNING DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
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
93V029000

SEATS

Mar 3, 1993
188 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE SEAT ANCHORAGES COULD NOT MAINTAIN LOAD OF 5,000 LBS FOR 10 SECONDS.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS MIGHT NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT SEATOCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS WITH BOLTS OF A LARGER DIAMETER, WHICH MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V013000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Jan 1, 1993
24,570 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CURRENT PRODUCTION STATIONARY WINDOW ASSEMBLIES ALLOW THE GLASS TO DISENGAGE FROM THE RUBBER AND/OR FRAME.
The risk: THE WINDOWS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217, "BUS WINDOWRETENTION AND RELEASE."
The remedy: INSTALL TWO RETAINING CLIPS AT EACH NON-COMPLYING WINDOW.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
92V126000

SEATS

Sep 8, 1992
1,526 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE PLYWOOD SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME.
The risk: THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK DOES NOT MEET THE STRENGTHREQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEM". SHOULD THE SEAT BACK FAIL WHILETHE BUS IS IN MOTION, THE OPERATOR COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE BUS.
The remedy: REMOVE INCORRECT SCREWS ATTACHING THE PLYWOOD BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME AND INSTALL PROPER SCREWS.
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
91V169000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Oct 1, 1991
407 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL SHUT-OFF SOLENOID IN THE CUMMINS 6C ENGINE MAY BE FAULTY, CAUSING SPONTANEOUS INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER TO DRIVING WHEELS, POWER STEERING, AND OTHER POWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS.
The risk: LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SECONDARY LOSS OF POWER ASSISTEDSYSTEMS REDUCES STEERING CONTROL, BRAKING ABILITY, VISUAL SYSTEMS AND OTHERPOWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLEACCIDENT.
The remedy: WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID SPRING, ADJUST SOLENOID, REPLACE WIRES, AND VERIFY MAXIMUM POWER REQUIREMENTS TO THE SOLENOID.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V159000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Sep 12, 1991
800 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING LINKAGE (DRAG LINK) BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM AND THE STEERING ARM ON THE AXLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED.
The risk: THE DRAG LINK COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT EITHER ENDWHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V114000

SEATS

Jul 1, 1991
22 units potentially affected
The defect: SOME OF THE SPECIAL FASTENERS ATTACHING THE SEATS TO THE FLOOR TRACKS ARE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY AND ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, SEAT OCCUPANTSWOULD BE PLACED AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY FROM SEATS BREAKING FREE OF THEFLOOR; BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.
The remedy: REPLACE SUBSTANDARD FASTENERS WITH NEW 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.

Safety investigations

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

PE93053ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ELECTRICAL FIRE

Opened May 26, 1993
Closed Aug 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources