RecallMyCar

1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 97V133000 Reported 8,107 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    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.

  2. Chamber (service brakes)

    NHTSA 97V030000 Reported 695 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.

    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…

  3. 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…

  4. Chamber (service brakes)

    NHTSA 96V021000 Reported 730 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.

    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…

  5. Foot control/valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 88V075000 Reported 7 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    A pressure protection valve was omitted in front air brake plumbing that is required by FMVSS 121.

    Remedy: Install pressure protection valve.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Thomas Saf-T-Liner model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Thomas Saf-T-Liner model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1977 Thomas Saf-T-Liner10
1978 Thomas Saf-T-Liner10
1979 Thomas Saf-T-Liner10
1980 Thomas Saf-T-Liner20
1981 Thomas Saf-T-Liner20
1982 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1983 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1984 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1985 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1986 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1987 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner50
1989 Thomas Saf-T-Liner40
1990 Thomas Saf-T-Liner50
1991 Thomas Saf-T-Liner50
1992 Thomas Saf-T-Liner70
1993 Thomas Saf-T-Liner100
1994 Thomas Saf-T-Liner130
1995 Thomas Saf-T-Liner111
1996 Thomas Saf-T-Liner100
1997 Thomas Saf-T-Liner30
1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner01
2000 Thomas Saf-T-Liner10
2001 Thomas Saf-T-Liner21
2002 Thomas Saf-T-Liner02

Checking a specific 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner

How do I know if my 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1988 Thomas Saf-T-Liner; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Thomas dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 88V075000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

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.