1996 Thomas Vista Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V362000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1996
Manufactured End Date: September 30th, 2000
Date of Owner Notification: February 9th, 2001

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING'S SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING THE GAS SPRING SHOCK TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER OF THE SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED AFTER DEFORMING, AND IS ALLOWED TO BREAK, ITS BREAKING WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 2001.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 ATALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V309000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: June 1st, 1993
Manufactured End Date: November 30th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: April 27th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS." THE ENTIRE TOP SURFACE OF CYLINDER H IS NOT VISIBLE AS REQUIRED.

Consequence Summary:
A DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT DEALERS CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27,1999. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V229000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1996
Manufactured End Date: April 10th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: December 7th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 7, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR BUSES 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 1-336-841-5991.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V192000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: December 22nd, 1995
Manufactured End Date: September 3rd, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: March 8th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE FLIP SEATS INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REARWARD PUSH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 1999.A PRELIMINARY OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS MAILED JUNE 12, 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE 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: 96V139000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: October 8th, 1996

Defect Summary:
AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.

Consequence Summary:
IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
A MOLDED COVER WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE OPENING THAT COULD ALLOW AN ITEM OF A CHILD'S CLOTHING TO BECOME SNAGGED.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; BODY; HANDRAILS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. 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.