1986 Thomas School Bus Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V080000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: September 16th, 1996

Defect Summary:
THE DOOR HINGES WERE NOT SHIELDED AND CAN SNAG EXITING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING OR ACCESSORIES.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL HINGE PADS TO PREVENT THE SNAGGING OF PASSENGER'S CLOTHING.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH JACK-KNIFE SERVICE DOORS AND NOT EQUIPPED WITH HINGE PROTECTOR PAD. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-910-889-4871. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V054000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: June 5th, 1996

Defect Summary:
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRY WAYS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A FORWARD-MOUNT HANDRAIL OR A REARWARD-MOUNT HANDRAIL. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-910-889-4871. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 93V032001
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: November 15th, 1993

Defect Summary:
PASSENGERS CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THEHANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEINDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUSINJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BECOMING CAUGHT.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT: HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V013000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: October 23rd, 1992

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN THE CENTER ACTUATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, THE WINDOWIS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT IN CASEOF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: REAR PUSH-OUT WINDOW.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH REAR PUSH-OUT WINDOWS FOREMERGENCY EGRESS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V006000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1985
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: April 19th, 1991

Defect Summary:
RELEASE HANDLE FOR REAR PUSH OUT WINDOW IS NOT LOCATED IN AREA REQUIRED BY S5.2.3.1(B) OF FMVSS 217.

Consequence Summary:
BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARDS; IN AN EMERGENCY,EXIT FROM THE PUSH-OUT WINDOW COULD BE HAMPERED.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL NEW INTERIOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: RELEASE HANDLE FORPUSH-OUT WINDOW; FMVSS 217.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES; 24 TO 90 PASSENGERS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V196000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: June 19th, 1991

Defect Summary:
THE SEAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH ENERGY ABSORPTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 222.

Consequence Summary:
THE REAR FACING SEATS HAD ONLY ONE THIRD OF THE REQUIREDENERGY ABSORPTION; A PASSENGER USING THIS SEAT COULD BE INJURED IN A SUDDEN STOPOR AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL NEW FOLDUP SEATS WITH APPROPRIATE FASTENERS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: REAR FACING FOLDUP SEATS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES WITH SPECIAL REAR FACING FOLDUP SEATS WITH ASPECIAL CUSHION FOLDING DEVICE-FASTENER.