Thomas ER MODEL recalls by model year

Reported: 1997-09-12 (September 12, 1997) · Model years: 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. A BURR ON THE SPOOL BORE OF THE STEERING GEAR PUMPS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF OIL FLOW.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND/OR OVERHEATING THE ENGINE.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT IS REQUESTING OWNERS TO INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE STEERING GEAR PUMP. IF THE PUMP IS STAMPED WITH A DATE CODE PRIOR TO 6/1/97 AND DOES NOT HAVE AN "L" OR AN "RL" STAMPED ON THE IDENTIFICATION TAG, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. OWNERS WILL BE SHIPPED A REPLACEMENT PUMP AND DETAILED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT CAN DO THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR ON THESE BUSES.

Reported: 1997-10-20 (October 20, 1997) · Model years: 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.

Consequence: BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.

Reported: 2001-06-26 (June 26, 2001) · Model years: 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: AM-SAFE NOTIFIED THOMAS BUILT'S CUSTOMERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 21, 2000. 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 1-336-889-4871.

Reported: 2002-10-31 (October 31, 2002) · Model years: 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY. THE SEAT BELT SUPPLIER, AMSAFE, WILL PROVIDE A SNAP ON "OVER-COVER" TO OWNERS TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT COVER FROM SEPARATING.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 336-841-5924 OR AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.