RecallMyCar

Thomas School Bus Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints across 28 model years of the Thomas School Bus (1977–2011). The most-complained-about year is 1998.

22
safety recalls, all years
21
owner complaints, all years
1990
year with most recalls
1998
year with most complaints

Pick your Thomas School Bus model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2011 Thomas School Bus02
2010 Thomas School Bus02
2009 Thomas School Bus03
2004 Thomas School Bus11
2002 Thomas School Bus02
1999 Thomas School Bus03
1998 Thomas School Bus05
1997 Thomas School Bus01
1996 Thomas School Bus22
1995 Thomas School Bus20
1994 Thomas School Bus40
1993 Thomas School Bus40
1992 Thomas School Bus100
1991 Thomas School Bus110
1990 Thomas School Bus120
1989 Thomas School Bus90
1988 Thomas School Bus80
1987 Thomas School Bus60
1986 Thomas School Bus60
1985 Thomas School Bus60
1984 Thomas School Bus40
1983 Thomas School Bus40
1982 Thomas School Bus40
1981 Thomas School Bus40
1980 Thomas School Bus40
1979 Thomas School Bus30
1978 Thomas School Bus30
1977 Thomas School Bus30

What Thomas School Bus owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 5.

All Thomas School Bus recalls (22)

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

  1. Suspension

    NHTSA 05V284000 Reported 634 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain freightliner trucks and thomas school buses equipped with holland/neway air suspension systems, a transverse beam casting may fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension's transverse beam may…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies. The recall began for thomas built owners on february 10, 2006; and for freightliner owners on april 14, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner…

    Model years: 2004

  2. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V080000 Reported 13,545 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The door hinges were not shielded and can snag exiting children's clothing or accessories.

    Remedy: Dealers will install hinge pads to prevent the snagging of passenger's clothing.

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

  3. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V065000 Reported 37,717 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The fasteners used to secure the mounting foot of either forward or rearward handrails could be installed in such a manner as to allow the possibility that the nut used in NHTSA's handrail inspection procedure will catch between the fasteners.

    Remedy: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from becoming caught.

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

  4. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 96V054000 Reported 4,500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

    Remedy: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught.

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

  5. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 94V214000 Reported 1,458 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The hole in the bolt portion of the vandalock was drilled in an incorrect location, allowing the pin to be inserted with the bolt in the locked position while bypassing the starter interlock. This can result in the engine starting system operating while the emergency exit door is locked. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no.…

    Remedy: Dealers will rivet a metal shield to the vandalock cover to prevent pin insertion in the event that the pin hole has been incorrectly located.

    Model years: 1994

  6. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 94V120000 Reported 285 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    A cable installed to temporarily bypass the neutral switch to enable the engine to be started was not removed at delivery. The cable allows the bus to be started while in a forward or reverse drive gear.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the temporary cable and install a new relay.

    Model years: 1994

  7. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 94V092000 Reported 423 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    A decal warning of the potential danger in using starting fluid to start the engine was omitted.

    Remedy: Customers will be sent warning decals and installation instructions.

    Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

  8. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 93V032001 Reported 87,000 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Passengers clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

    Remedy: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from becoming caught.

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

  9. Seats

    NHTSA 93V029000 Reported 188 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Replace the anchorage bolts with bolts of a larger diameter, which meet the load requirements of FMVSS 210.

    Model years: 1991, 1992

  10. 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

  11. Seats

    NHTSA 92V126000 Reported 1,526 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Incorrect screws were used to attach the plywood seat back to the seat frame.

    Remedy: Remove incorrect screws attaching the plywood back to the seat frame and install proper screws.

    Model years: 1991, 1992

  12. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 92V078000 Reported 24 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    A brake air line plumbing error causes the spring brakes to be applied without brake application when the air pressure in the primary tank drops to a level which automatically activates the spring brake system.

    Remedy: Replace and reroute air brake hose to comply with FMVSS 121.

    Model years: 1992

  13. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 92V013000 Reported 7,500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Remove the old center actuator and install an improved actuator.

    Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

  14. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 91V006000 Reported 2,986 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Release handle for rear push out window is not located in area required by s5.2.3.1(b) of FMVSS 217.

    Remedy: Install new interior handle assembly to meet specifications.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

  15. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 91V169000 Reported 407 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Where necessary, replace the solenoid spring, adjust solenoid, replace wires, and verify maximum power requirements to the solenoid.

    Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

  16. Connection (steering)

    NHTSA 91V159000 Reported 800 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The steering linkage (drag link) between the steering gear pitman arm and the steering arm on the axle may have been improperly fastened.

    Remedy: Install correct pins and properly tighten the castellated nuts.

    Model years: 1990, 1991

  17. Seats

    NHTSA 91V114000 Reported 22 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Replace substandard fasteners with new fasteners.

    Model years: 1991

  18. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 91V058000 Reported 1,393 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Driver's safety belt is too short to meet length requirements of FMVSS 209.

    Remedy: Replace the belt assembly with a compliant version.

    Model years: 1990

  19. Seats

    NHTSA 90V196000 Reported 1,083 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The seat do not comply with energy absorption requirements of FMVSS 222.

    Remedy: Install new foldup seats with appropriate fasteners.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

  20. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 90V175000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The combination of type 2 elr seat belt and suspension type driver's seat causes safety belt cinching which becomes severe enough to distract or hinder driver from normal operation of bus.

    Remedy: Install seat belt that incorporates some anti-cinching features and a new set of tether straps for suspension seat.

    Model years: 1990

  21. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 90V025000 Reported 48 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Upper anchorage of type 2 safety belt installed at the driver's seating position is not within the specified range as required by FMVSS 210.

    Remedy: Install reinforcing channel assuring that belts are within specified range.

    Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990

  22. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 89V192000 Reported 561 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The adjustable seat back structure and tilt mechanism may not withstand rearward force required by FMVSS 207.

    Remedy: Install new seat back structure and tilt mechanism assembly that complies with standard.

    Model years: 1989

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.