1995 Thomas CONVENTIONAL: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-11-03 (November 3, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A STORAGE COMPARTMENT OVERHEAD TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER FAIL TO MEET FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: CONTACT WITH THIS STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT MEET THE IMPACT ZONE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD PADDING TO THE SIDES OF THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 8, 2002. 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: 1995-05-01 (May 1, 1995)

THE ROOF HATCHES ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE EXTERIOR HANDLE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, RESCUE PERSONNEL MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE ROOF HATCHES FROM THE OUTSIDE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING ROOF HATCH LID AND REPLACE IT WITH A LID EQUIPPED WITH AN EXTERIOR HANDLE.

Reported: 1996-06-17 (June 17, 1996)

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN A SMALL OPENING AT THE FLOOR LEVEL OF THE FORWARD DOOR POST.

Consequence: A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE SMALL OPENING 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 IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: A FILLER PLATE WILL BE ATTACHED ON THOMAS CONVENTIONALS OR A PIECE OF RUBBER TRIM ON THOMAS VISTAS TO THE FORWARD DOOR POST AT THE FLOOR LEVEL TO COVER THE OPENING AND ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SNAGGING.

Reported: 1996-07-23 (July 23, 1996)

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: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 1996-10-01 (October 1, 1996)

THE FITTINGS USED TO SECURE THE SCHOOL BUS SEATS OR WHEEL CHAIR TIE-DOWNS TO THE TRACK USED IN THE TRACK SEATING SYSTEM DO NOT SEAT PROPERLY RESULTING IN NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FITTINGS AND REPLACE THE IMPROPERLY MACHINED TRACK IF NECESSARY.

Reported: 1997-03-05 (March 5, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN A SMALL OPENING AT THE FLOOR LEVEL OF THE FORWARD DOOR POST.

Consequence: IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH IN THE OPENING, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FORWARD DOOR POST TO VERIFY THAT THE OPENING IS COMPLETELY ELIMINATED, AND IF NECESSARY, WILL INSTALL SEALANT IN ANY REMAINING PORTION OF THE OPENING.

Reported: 1997-11-01 (November 1, 1997)

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

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 1998-12-07 (December 7, 1998)

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: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. RESTRAINING BARRIERS AND REINFORCEMENT PLATES MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. NUTS USED TO SECURE THE PLATE THE FLOOR MAY BE MISSING OR THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE MAY BE MOUNTED IN A NON-STANDARD LOCATION. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BARRIERS AND PLATES, INSTALL ANY NUTS THAT ARE MISSING, AND MOUNT THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE CORRECTLY.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSION DRIVER SEAT. TETHER BELTS USED TO ANCHOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE FLOOR WERE NOT INSTALLED ON BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR RIDE DRIVER SEAT. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE TETHER BELT ASSEMBLY.