1989 Thomas School Bus Recalls, Complaints & Specs

9 safety recalls list the 1989 Thomas School Bus. Check your own VIN below.

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9 safety recalls for the 1989 Thomas School Bus

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 96V080000 Reported May 6, 1996 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.

2. Body (structure)

   NHTSA 96V054000 Reported March 26, 1996 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.

3. Body (structure)

   NHTSA 93V032001 Reported March 29, 1993 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.

4. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

   NHTSA 92V013000 Reported January 3, 1992 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.

5. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

   NHTSA 91V006000 Reported October 3, 1991 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.

6. Fuel pump (fuel system)

   NHTSA 91V169000 Reported October 1, 1991 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.

7. Seats

   NHTSA 90V196000 Reported November 23, 1990 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.

8. Anchorage (seat belts)

   NHTSA 90V025000 Reported February 9, 1990 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.

9. Recliner (seats)

   NHTSA 89V192000 Reported November 6, 1989 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.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1989 Thomas School Bus. 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 School Bus model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Thomas School Bus model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1989 Thomas School Bus

Other Thomas models

• Thomas11 complaints
• Bus7 complaints
• Mvp EF7 complaints
• Saf-T-Liner5 complaints
• C23 complaints
• FS-653 complaints
• CL1002 complaints
• Conventional2 complaints

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.