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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

02V062000 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve

Feb 22, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF A CHECK VALVE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

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.

01V341000 · Seats

Nov 1, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

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.

01V214000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 26, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BUS CATCHES ON FIRE, POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAN OCCUR.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA04014 · School Bus Lighting Failures

Opened Jun 9, 2004 · Closed Dec 20, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Interior Lighting