1990 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: 93V013000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1993
Date of Owner Notification: August 13th, 1993

Defect Summary:
THE CURRENT PRODUCTION STATIONARY WINDOW ASSEMBLIES ALLOW THE GLASS TO DISENGAGE FROM THE RUBBER AND/OR FRAME.

Consequence Summary:
THE WINDOWS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217, "BUS WINDOWRETENTION AND RELEASE."

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL TWO RETAINING CLIPS AT EACH NON-COMPLYING WINDOW.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: VISUAL SYSTEMS; FMVSS 217.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND 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: 91V169000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: September 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SECONDARY LOSS OF POWER ASSISTEDSYSTEMS REDUCES STEERING CONTROL, BRAKING ABILITY, VISUAL SYSTEMS AND OTHERPOWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLEACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID SPRING, ADJUST SOLENOID, REPLACE WIRES, AND VERIFY MAXIMUM POWER REQUIREMENTS TO THE SOLENOID.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL PUMP.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH CUMMINS 6C ENGINES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V159000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: September 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: November 20th, 1991

Defect Summary:
THE STEERING LINKAGE (DRAG LINK) BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM AND THE STEERING ARM ON THE AXLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED.

Consequence Summary:
THE DRAG LINK COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT EITHER ENDWHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES, SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V058000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: October 1st, 1991

Defect Summary:
DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT IS TOO SHORT TO MEET LENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 209.

Consequence Summary:
SHORT SAFETY BELTS WOULD DISCOURAGE DRIVER FROM USINGTHEM. SEAT OCCUPANT NOT USING SAFETY BELT WOULD NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION INCASE OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE THE BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A COMPLIANT VERSION.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SAFETY BELTS; FMVSS 209.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES; BODY TYPE B, C, AND D.

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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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V175000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: April 12th, 1991

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
DISTRACTION OF DRIVER COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL SEAT BELT THAT INCORPORATES SOME ANTI-CINCHING FEATURES AND A NEW SET OF TETHER STRAPS FOR SUSPENSION SEAT.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SAFETY BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH SUSPENSION TYPE DRIVERSSEAT AND TYPE 2 ELR SAFETY BELT.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V025000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: October 24th, 1990

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
BELTS MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND OBSTRUCT VISION TO THE LEFT; BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL REINFORCING CHANNEL ASSURING THAT BELTS ARE WITHIN SPECIFIED RANGE.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE; FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TYPE 2 DRIVERS BELT.