1991 Thomas Bus Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 93V029000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1991
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: March 17th, 1993

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

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

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SAFETY BELTS; FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND BUSES.NOTE: ALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED AT THE TIME THE RECALL WAS ISSUED.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V126000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: December 1st, 1991
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: December 18th, 1992

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

Consequence Summary:
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.

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

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: INTERIOR: DRIVER'S SEAT BACK; FMVSS 207.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V120000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: November 2nd, 1992

Defect Summary:
THE DRIVESHAFT USED WITH SOME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATIONS HAD INSUFFICIENT WELDS JOINING SOME OF THE COMPONENTS.

Consequence Summary:
THE BAD WELDS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS THAT CAN CAUSE COMPLETESEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER FOR THEVEHICLE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE DEFECTIVE NORTH AMERICAN DRIVESHAFTS WITH SPICER DRIVESHAFTS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: POWERTRAIN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NORTH AMERICAN DRIVESHAFTS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V013000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: October 23rd, 1992

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: REAR PUSH-OUT WINDOW.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH REAR PUSH-OUT WINDOWS FOREMERGENCY EGRESS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V169000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: September 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

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

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL PUMP.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH CUMMINS 6C ENGINES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V159000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: September 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: November 20th, 1991

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

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

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES, SCHOOL BUSES.