Thomas Conventional recalls

What is wrong

Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.

Risk

Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.

Remedy

For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, thomas built is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses operated in the warmer states, dealers will replace the switch upon owner request. For those customers who request the remedy, thomas built will replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected. The recall began on september 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 05V347000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.

Risk

Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.

Remedy

Thomas built will notify its owners and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free of charge. The recall began on september 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 05V340000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 02V160009 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems." these buses do not have a check valve between the wet tank and the secondary tank.

Risk

The absence of a check valve could cause increased stopping distances.

Remedy

Dealers will add a check valve. The units affected are only in the state of washington. Owner notification began may 10, 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 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 02V062000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with syntec seats fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection." some seats (1) fail to meet the required four inch clearance during the test procedure, while still meeting the post test condition; (2) fail to meet the required frontal pre-load when testing under certain conditions; or (3) while still meeting the required force/defection, experience weld breakage.

Risk

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat frame and the seat back cushion on these vehicles. Owner notification began november 13, 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 at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 01V341000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. The main body power supply wire from the chassis can chafe on the chassis (cowl) sheet metal panel, causing arcing and could result in a fire.

Risk

If the bus catches on fire, possible injury or death to the vehicle occupants can occur.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with inspection and remedy procedures to be used in correcting this condition. Owner notification began september 14, 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 at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 01V214000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 01V097009 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with kinedyne l series button track seating, fail to comply with fmvss no. 222, ""school bus passenger seating and crash protection." incorrect fasteners were used to secure the button track to the bus floor.

Risk

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the incorrect fasteners with the correct attachment hardware.

Recall number 00V380000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat base and add reinforcement to the seat assembly

Recall number 00V362000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: certain school buses built on navistar chassis and equipped with safety cross fixed position cross view mirrors fail to meet the requirements of fmvss no. 111, "rearview mirrors." a bracket supplied with the mirror assembly was manufactured incorrectly. The entire top surface of one or more cylinders described in the standard is not visible with the mirror system when using the incorrect bracket.

Risk

The school bus 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

Thomas built sent service personnel to replace the entire mirror assembly on the affected buses.

Recall number 00V361000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 00V360000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 99V175000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 99V173000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 98V309000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Remedy

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 number 98V229000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. These vehicles do not comply with the visibility requirements of fmvss no. 111, "rearview mirrors."

Risk

The driver of the bus may not have a clear and unobstructed view to the rear.

Remedy

New mirrors which incorporate mirror arms that will move the cross view mirrors forward will be installed on these vehicles.

Recall number 98V011000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 97V192000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 97V031000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with isringhausen seats in the driver position. Two welds located on the back rest adjustment side of the seat frame did not meet the manufacturer's specifications.

Risk

If these welds were not to specification, back rest loads could cause the welds to fail. The back rest would disengage from the seat frame allowing loss of support to the driver's torso and possibly causing loss of control of the vehicle.

Remedy

Isringhausen is conducting the owner notification and remedy campaign for this recall. Dealers will inspect these seats and replace the seat frame assembly.

Recall number 96V178008 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 96V189000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 96V139000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 96V105000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The roof hatches on these buses do not meet the exterior handle requirements of fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."

Risk

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.

Recall number 95V087000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The air conditioning hose covers do not meet the head impact requirements of fmvss no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."

Risk

Consequence of non-compliance: this condition can cause personal injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reroute the cover from the head impact zone and also replace the metal cover with a plastic cover.

Recall number 95V042000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The metal housing of the safety belt retractors on automatic locking retractor/emergency locking retractor safety belts can become deformed preventing extension and/or retraction of the belt.

Risk

Passengers would be unable to extend or retract their safety belts and would be at a risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Remedy

Dealers will install a hardened washer which will decrease the possibility of deformation of the safety belt retractor. Damaged retractors will be replaced.

Recall number 95V004000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Retroflective markings on required emergency exits do not meet the location requirements of fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."

Risk

Consequence of non-compliance: if the retroflective markings are not properly located at emergency exits, occupants could not easily identify such exits in an emergency or accident.

Remedy

Dealers will install additional reflective tape around each emergency door's outside perimeter.

Recall number 94V171000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The current production stationary window assemblies allow the glass to disengage from the rubber and/or frame.

Risk

The windows do not comply with fmvss 217, "bus windowretention and release."

Remedy

Install two retaining clips at each non-complying window.

Recall number 93V013000 · Recall details