RecallMyCar

Thomas Conventional Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 27 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints across 28 model years of the Thomas Conventional (1977–2004). The most-complained-about year is 2001.

27
safety recalls, all years
2
owner complaints, all years
1996
year with most recalls
2001
year with most complaints

Pick your Thomas Conventional model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2004 Thomas Conventional20
2003 Thomas Conventional20
2002 Thomas Conventional21
2001 Thomas Conventional41
2000 Thomas Conventional70
1999 Thomas Conventional50
1998 Thomas Conventional70
1997 Thomas Conventional80
1996 Thomas Conventional110
1995 Thomas Conventional100
1994 Thomas Conventional90
1993 Thomas Conventional70
1992 Thomas Conventional50
1991 Thomas Conventional50
1990 Thomas Conventional30
1989 Thomas Conventional20
1988 Thomas Conventional20
1987 Thomas Conventional20
1986 Thomas Conventional20
1985 Thomas Conventional20
1984 Thomas Conventional20
1983 Thomas Conventional20
1982 Thomas Conventional20
1981 Thomas Conventional20
1980 Thomas Conventional20
1979 Thomas Conventional20
1978 Thomas Conventional20
1977 Thomas Conventional20

What Thomas Conventional owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The 2001 model year has the most, with 1.

All Thomas Conventional recalls (27)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Thomas Conventional, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V347000 Reported 5,954 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware,…

    Remedy: For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, thomas built is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses operated in the warmer states, dealers will replace the…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004

  2. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V340000 Reported 13,583 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois,…

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify its owners and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004

  3. Seat belts

    NHTSA 02V160009 Reported 2,371 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    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…

    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…

    Model years: 2000, 2001

  4. Check valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 02V062000 Reported 51 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    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.

    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…

    Model years: 2001

  5. Seats

    NHTSA 01V341000 Reported 708 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    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…

    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…

    Model years: 2001

  6. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 01V214000 Reported 16,165 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    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.

    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…

    Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001

  7. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 01V097009 Reported 129 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with safety belt assemblies produced by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.

    Remedy: Am-safe notified thomas built's customers to return their vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the seat belts repaired free of charge. Owner notification began september 21, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to…

    Model years: 2000

  8. Seats

    NHTSA 00V380000 Reported 37 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with kinedyne l series button track seating, fail to comply with FMVSS no. 222, ""school bus passenger seating and crash protection." incorrect fasteners were used to secure the button track to the bus floor.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the incorrect fasteners with the correct attachment hardware.

    Model years: 1999, 2000

  9. Unknown or other

    NHTSA 00V360000 Reported 11,500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with a storage compartment overhead to the left of the driver fail to meet FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will add padding to the sides of the storage compartment. Owner notification began february 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

    Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

  10. Seats

    NHTSA 00V362000 Reported 6,500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: certain school buses and transit buses equipped with national seating's series 93b-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching the gas spring shock to the height adjuster of the seat can deform and break. This bracket is located at the top of the height adjuster.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat base and add reinforcement to the seat assembly

    Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

  11. Exterior (visibility)

    NHTSA 00V361000 Reported 53 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: certain school buses built on navistar chassis and equipped with safety cross fixed position cross view mirrors fail to meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 111, "rearview mirrors." a bracket supplied with the mirror assembly was manufactured incorrectly. The entire top surface of one or more cylinders described in…

    Remedy: Thomas built sent service personnel to replace the entire mirror assembly on the affected buses.

    Model years: 2000

  12. Seats

    NHTSA 99V173000 Reported 2,175 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school buses. Restraining barriers and reinforcement plates may be installed incorrectly. Nuts used to secure the plate the floor may be missing or the reinforcement plate may be mounted in a non-standard location. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the barriers and plates, install any nuts that are missing, and mount the reinforcement plate correctly.

    Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

  13. Seats

    NHTSA 99V175000 Reported 744 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: transit and school buses equipped with air suspension driver seat. Tether belts used to anchor the seat belt assembly to the floor were not installed on buses equipped with an air ride driver seat. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."

    Remedy: Dealers will install the tether belt assembly.

    Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

  14. Exterior (visibility)

    NHTSA 98V309000 Reported 500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school buses built on a navistar chassis. The cross view mirrors do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 111, "rearview mirrors." the entire top surface of cylinder h is not visible as required.

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with a repair kit and detailed instructions. If an owner so desires, thomas built dealers can perform the repair for them.

    Model years: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

  15. Seats

    NHTSA 98V229000 Reported 4,300 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with national seating series 93b-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching to the height adjusting shock absorber on the driver's seat can deform and break.

    Remedy: Dealers will add a reinforcement to the bracket, or if the bracket is deformed and/or broken, the entire seat base will be replaced.

    Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998

  16. Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

    NHTSA 98V011000 Reported 241 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school buses. These vehicles do not comply with the visibility requirements of FMVSS no. 111, "rearview mirrors."

    Remedy: New mirrors which incorporate mirror arms that will move the cross view mirrors forward will be installed on these vehicles.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

  17. Seats

    NHTSA 97V192000 Reported 2,391 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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."

    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.

    Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

  18. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 97V031000 Reported 24,082 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school buses equipped with outward opening service doors. The possibility exists for an item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught in a small opening at the floor level of the forward door post.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the forward door post to verify that the opening is completely eliminated, and if necessary, will install sealant in any remaining portion of the opening.

    Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

  19. Seats

    NHTSA 96V178008 Reported 38 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Isringhausen is conducting the owner notification and remedy campaign for this recall. Dealers will inspect these seats and replace the seat frame assembly.

    Model years: 1996

  20. Unknown or other

    NHTSA 96V189000 Reported 18 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The fittings used to secure the school bus seats or wheel chair tie-downs to the track used in the track seating system do not seat properly resulting in noncompliance with FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fittings and replace the improperly machined track if necessary.

    Model years: 1995, 1996

  21. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V139000 Reported 120,371 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    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…

    Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

  22. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V105000 Reported 6,358 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory can become caught in a small opening at the floor level of the forward door post.

    Remedy: A filler plate will be attached on thomas conventionals or a piece of rubber trim on thomas vistas to the forward door post at the floor level to cover the opening and eliminate the possibility of snagging.

    Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

  23. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 95V087000 Reported 350 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The roof hatches on these buses do not meet the exterior handle requirements of FMVSS no. 217, "bus window retention and release."

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing roof hatch lid and replace it with a lid equipped with an exterior handle.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  24. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 95V042000 Reported 50 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The air conditioning hose covers do not meet the head impact requirements of FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will reroute the cover from the head impact zone and also replace the metal cover with a plastic cover.

    Model years: 1994

  25. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 95V004000 Reported 3,076 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The metal housing of the safety belt retractors on automatic locking retractor/emergency locking retractor safety belts can become deformed preventing extension and/or retraction of the belt.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a hardened washer which will decrease the possibility of deformation of the safety belt retractor. Damaged retractors will be replaced.

    Model years: 1993, 1994

  26. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 94V171000 Reported 206 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Retroflective markings on required emergency exits do not meet the location requirements of FMVSS no. 217, "bus window retention and release."

    Remedy: Dealers will install additional reflective tape around each emergency door's outside perimeter.

    Model years: 1994

  27. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 93V013000 Reported 24,570 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The current production stationary window assemblies allow the glass to disengage from the rubber and/or frame.

    Remedy: Install two retaining clips at each non-complying window.

    Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Other Thomas models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.