Thomas SCHOOL BUS recalls by model year

Reported: 1993-03-29 (March 29, 1993) · Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

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

Consequence: 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.

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

Reported: 1996-03-26 (March 26, 1996) · Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

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

Consequence: 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.

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

Reported: 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996) · Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

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

Consequence: 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.

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

Reported: 1992-01-03 (January 3, 1992) · Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

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: 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.

Remedy: REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.

Reported: 1990-11-23 (November 23, 1990) · Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW FOLDUP SEATS WITH APPROPRIATE FASTENERS.

Reported: 1991-10-03 (October 3, 1991) · Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990

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

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

Remedy: INSTALL NEW INTERIOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

Reported: 1990-02-09 (February 9, 1990) · Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990

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

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

Reported: 1991-10-01 (October 1, 1991) · Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

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: 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.

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

Reported: 1989-11-06 (November 6, 1989) · Model years: 1989

THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT BACK STRUCTURE AND TILT MECHANISM MAY NOT WITHSTAND REARWARD FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.

Consequence: BUSES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 207; SEATBACKCOULD FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT INCREASING POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW SEAT BACK STRUCTURE AND TILT MECHANISM ASSEMBLY THAT COMPLIES WITH STANDARD.

Reported: 1990-10-04 (October 4, 1990) · Model years: 1990

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: DISTRACTION OF DRIVER COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

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

Reported: 1991-04-15 (April 15, 1991) · Model years: 1990

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: REPLACE THE BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A COMPLIANT VERSION.

Reported: 1991-09-12 (September 12, 1991) · Model years: 1990, 1991

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

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

Remedy: INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.

Reported: 1993-01-01 (January 1, 1993) · Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

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

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

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

Reported: 1991-07-01 (July 1, 1991) · Model years: 1991

SOME OF THE SPECIAL FASTENERS ATTACHING THE SEATS TO THE FLOOR TRACKS ARE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY AND ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT, SEAT OCCUPANTSWOULD BE PLACED AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY FROM SEATS BREAKING FREE OF THEFLOOR; BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.

Remedy: REPLACE SUBSTANDARD FASTENERS WITH NEW FASTENERS.

Reported: 1992-09-08 (September 8, 1992) · Model years: 1991, 1992

INCORRECT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE PLYWOOD SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME.

Consequence: THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK DOES NOT MEET THE STRENGTHREQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEM". SHOULD THE SEAT BACK FAIL WHILETHE BUS IS IN MOTION, THE OPERATOR COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE BUS.

Remedy: REMOVE INCORRECT SCREWS ATTACHING THE PLYWOOD BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME AND INSTALL PROPER SCREWS.

Reported: 1993-03-03 (March 3, 1993) · Model years: 1991, 1992

THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE SEAT ANCHORAGES COULD NOT MAINTAIN LOAD OF 5,000 LBS FOR 10 SECONDS.

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS MIGHT NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT SEATOCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE ANCHORAGE BOLTS WITH BOLTS OF A LARGER DIAMETER, WHICH MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.

Reported: 1994-05-13 (May 13, 1994) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

A DECAL WARNING OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER IN USING STARTING FLUID TO START THE ENGINE WAS OMITTED.

Consequence: IGNITION OF THE STARTER FLUID BY THE HEATING ELEMENT CAN RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT WARNING DECALS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Reported: 1992-05-19 (May 19, 1992) · Model years: 1992

A BRAKE AIR LINE PLUMBING ERROR CAUSES THE SPRING BRAKES TO BE APPLIED WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION WHEN THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE PRIMARY TANK DROPS TO A LEVEL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES THE SPRING BRAKE SYSTEM.

Consequence: ACTIVATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE SYSTEM WITHOUT OPERATORBRAKE APPLICATION WILL CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED, LOCKING THE BRAKESWITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE OPERATOR.

Remedy: REPLACE AND REROUTE AIR BRAKE HOSE TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 121.

Reported: 1996-04-15 (April 15, 1996) · Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

THE FASTENERS USED TO SECURE THE MOUNTING FOOT OF EITHER FORWARD OR REARWARD HANDRAILS COULD BE INSTALLED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO ALLOW THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE NUT USED IN NHTSA'S HANDRAIL INSPECTION PROCEDURE WILL CATCH BETWEEN THE FASTENERS.

Consequence: A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND IF 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.

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

Reported: 1994-06-27 (June 27, 1994) · Model years: 1994

A CABLE INSTALLED TO TEMPORARILY BYPASS THE NEUTRAL SWITCH TO ENABLE THE ENGINE TO BE STARTED WAS NOT REMOVED AT DELIVERY. THE CABLE ALLOWS THE BUS TO BE STARTED WHILE IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE DRIVE GEAR.

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STARTING A BUS IN A DRIVE GEAR CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TEMPORARY CABLE AND INSTALL A NEW RELAY.

Reported: 1994-11-01 (November 1, 1994) · Model years: 1994

THE HOLE IN THE BOLT PORTION OF THE VANDALOCK WAS DRILLED IN AN INCORRECT LOCATION, ALLOWING THE PIN TO BE INSERTED WITH THE BOLT IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE BYPASSING THE STARTER INTERLOCK. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM OPERATING WHILE THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR IS LOCKED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RELEASE AND RETENTION."

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: VEHICLES OPERATED WHILE EMERGENCY EXITS ARE LOCKED RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PASSENGER ENTRAPMENT WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RIVET A METAL SHIELD TO THE VANDALOCK COVER TO PREVENT PIN INSERTION IN THE EVENT THAT THE PIN HOLE HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY LOCATED.

Reported: 2005-06-14 (June 14, 2005) · Model years: 2004

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS AND THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND/NEWAY AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN FOR THOMAS BUILT OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006; AND FOR FREIGHTLINER OWNERS ON APRIL 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.