Thomas Transit Liner Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints across 12 model years of the Thomas Transit Liner (1980–1994).

Pick your Thomas Transit Liner model year

• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
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• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994

All Thomas Transit Liner recalls (5)

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

1. Hydraulic power assist system (steering)

   NHTSA 94V143000 Reported August 1, 1994 1,150 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

   A sudden hydraulic pressure loss during hard turns results in a momentary loss of power steering assist. The pressure loss occurs when the hydraulically driven engine cooling fan turns off in the turn.

   Remedy: The hydraulic control valves will be replaced with valves of a new design. Until such time as parts are available, owners will be instructed to disconnect the fan cutoff switch so that hydraulically driven fans will…

   Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994

2. Foot control/valve (service brakes)

   NHTSA 88V075000 Reported May 2, 1988 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.

   Model years: 1988

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

   NHTSA 87V174000 Reported November 12, 1987 38 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

   The reservoir line from the spring brake control valve was connected to the front brake reservoir instead of the rear reservoir.

   Remedy: Install new air brake tubing to correct plumbing error.

   Model years: 1987

4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 87V090000 Reported June 11, 1987 616 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

   In a front end collision, dual fuel tanks may slide on the support brackets allowing the fuel crossover pipe end fittings to contact a pipe support and protection guard.

   Remedy: Install new fuel line guard, fasteners and, if necessary, a fitting.

   Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

5. Springs (vehicle speed control)

   NHTSA 86V079000 Reported June 16, 1986 942 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

   Two throttle return spring defects are involved in this recall. (1) buses equipped with caterpillar engines may have a throttle return spring that breaks and prevents the throttle from returning to idle position when the driver's foot is removed from the accelerator control; (2) buses equipped with cummins vt-225 engines may have the…

   Remedy: A repair kit consisting of new spring, mounting bracket and proper repair instructions will be shipped to each owner at no charge and the owner may make his own repairs, or have a thomas distributor or a reputable…

   Model years: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

Other Thomas models

• School Bus21 complaints
• Thomas11 complaints
• Bus7 complaints
• Mvp EF7 complaints
• Saf-T-Liner5 complaints
• C23 complaints
• FS-653 complaints
• CL1002 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.