There have been 22 safety recalls for the Thomas School Bus. The most recent recalls are shown below. Table 1 and Table 2 show the historical recalls and the recall statistics by the model year of the Thomas School Bus.
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.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1977 Thomas School Bus, 1978 Thomas School Bus, 1979 Thomas School Bus, 1980 Thomas School Bus, 1981 Thomas School Bus, 1982 Thomas School Bus, 1983 Thomas School Bus, 1984 Thomas School Bus, 1985 Thomas School Bus, 1986 Thomas School Bus, 1987 Thomas School Bus, 1988 Thomas School Bus, 1989 Thomas School Bus, 1990 Thomas School Bus, 1991 Thomas School Bus, 1992 Thomas School Bus, 1993 Thomas School Bus, 1994 Thomas School Bus, 1995 Thomas School Bus, 1996 Thomas School Bus |
| Component: STRUCTURE:BODY |
| Recall Summary: The door hinges were not shielded and can snag exiting children's clothing or accessories. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
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.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1992 Thomas School Bus, 1993 Thomas School Bus, 1994 Thomas School Bus, 1995 Thomas School Bus, 1996 Thomas School Bus |
| Component: STRUCTURE:BODY |
| Recall Summary: 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. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
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.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1977 Thomas School Bus, 1978 Thomas School Bus, 1979 Thomas School Bus, 1980 Thomas School Bus, 1981 Thomas School Bus, 1982 Thomas School Bus, 1983 Thomas School Bus, 1984 Thomas School Bus, 1985 Thomas School Bus, 1986 Thomas School Bus, 1987 Thomas School Bus, 1988 Thomas School Bus, 1989 Thomas School Bus, 1990 Thomas School Bus, 1991 Thomas School Bus, 1992 Thomas School Bus |
| Component: STRUCTURE:BODY |
| Recall Summary: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
Consequence of non-compliance: vehicles operated while emergency exits are locked result in increased risk of passenger entrapment when involved in an accident.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1994 Thomas School Bus |
| Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH |
| Recall Summary: 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.... Details of this recall 🔎 |
Consequence of defect: starting a bus in a drive gear can result in unintentional movement and could result in an accident.
| Recalled Vehicles: 1994 Thomas BUS, 1994 Thomas School Bus |
| Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR |
| Recall Summary: 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. ... Details of this recall 🔎 |
| Date | Component | Vehicle Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Jun. 14, 2005 | Suspension | 634 |
| May. 6, 1996 | Structure:body | 13,545 |
| Apr. 15, 1996 | Structure:body | 37,717 |
| Mar. 26, 1996 | Structure:body | 4,500 |
| Nov. 1, 1994 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 1,458 |
| Jun. 27, 1994 | Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 285 |
| May. 13, 1994 | Equipment:other:labels | 423 |
| Mar. 29, 1993 | Structure:body | 87,000 |
| Mar. 3, 1993 | Seats | 188 |
| Jan. 1, 1993 | Visibility:glass, Side/rear | 24,570 |
| Sep. 8, 1992 | Seats | 1,526 |
| May. 19, 1992 | Service Brakes, Air:supply:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 24 |
| Jan. 3, 1992 | Visibility:glass, Side/rear | 7,500 |
| Oct. 3, 1991 | Visibility:glass, Side/rear | 2,986 |
| Oct. 1, 1991 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 407 |
| Sep. 12, 1991 | Steering:linkages:link:drag:connection | 800 |
| Jul. 1, 1991 | Seats | 22 |
| Apr. 15, 1991 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 1,393 |
| Nov. 23, 1990 | Seats | 1,083 |
| Oct. 4, 1990 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 300 |
| Feb. 9, 1990 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 48 |
| Nov. 6, 1989 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 561 |
| Model | # Recalls |
|---|---|
| 2004 Thomas School Bus | 1 |
| 1996 Thomas School Bus | 2 |
| 1995 Thomas School Bus | 2 |
| 1994 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1993 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1992 Thomas School Bus | 10 |
| 1991 Thomas School Bus | 11 |
| 1990 Thomas School Bus | 12 |
| 1989 Thomas School Bus | 9 |
| 1988 Thomas School Bus | 8 |
| 1987 Thomas School Bus | 6 |
| 1986 Thomas School Bus | 6 |
| 1985 Thomas School Bus | 6 |
| 1984 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1983 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1982 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1981 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1980 Thomas School Bus | 4 |
| 1979 Thomas School Bus | 3 |
| 1978 Thomas School Bus | 3 |
| 1977 Thomas School Bus | 3 |