RecallMyCar

1996 Thomas Saf-T-Liner Recalls, Complaints & Specs

10 safety recalls list the 1996 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. Check your own VIN below.

10
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

10 safety recalls for the 1996 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. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 04V398000 Reported 2,125 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 1995 and 1996 my thomas built school buses built between january 1, 1995, and february 29, 1996, which are predominately operated on unimproved roads may have developed cracks in the bus body framing structure members (rafters) near the horizontal window header welds and at the side emergency exit doors.

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify its customers and provide a free remedy. The recall began august 5, 2005. Owners who do not receive a free remedy within a reasonable amount of time should contact thomas built customer support…

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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…

  5. Service brakes, air

    NHTSA 97V020000 Reported 55 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    These buses with gross vehicle weight ratings (gvwr) of 36,200, do not meet the brake size and power requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 121, "air brake systems," for vehicles of that gvwr.

    Remedy: Thomas built will provide the owners with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. The repair will consist of changing the original rear slack adjusters and front brake chambers and increasing the air reservoir…

  6. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 97V018000 Reported 1,800 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The nut that secures the vehicle's main power supply can loosen causing loss of contact.

    Remedy: Thomas built will ship repair parts and a detailed repair procedure to the bus owners. The repair will consist of removing the original nut, located at the electrical panel, that secures the vehicle's main power…

  7. 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.

  8. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V164000 Reported 2,117 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 on the fateners that secure the handrail support to the handrail.

    Remedy: The existing 1" bolts that secure the handrail support will be replaced with 1/2" bolts.

  9. 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…

  10. 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…

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1996 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 1996 Thomas Saf-T-Liner

How do I know if my 1996 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. 10 campaigns currently list the 1996 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 04V398000).

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.