The worst 1994 Thomas School Bus problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 4
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- The door hinges were not shielded and can snag exiting children's clothing or accessories.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V080000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency's handrail inspection procedure will catch between the fasteners.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V065000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 94V214000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 94V120000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1994 Thomas School Bus
Defect investigations
Underhood fuel leakage and fires
A diesel fuel return line is alleged to fail in the underhood are causing fires
PE98020
Compare the 1994 Thomas School Bus
Other model years
Questions about the 1994 Thomas School Bus
Is the 1994 Thomas School Bus reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1994 Thomas School Bus.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 Thomas School Bus?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1994 Thomas School Bus have?
4 recalls, covering structure, latches/locks/linkages and electrical system.
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