1996 Thomas Minotour Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V142000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: FL-495
Manufactured Begin Date: January 23rd, 1994
Manufactured End Date: April 15th, 2002
Date of Owner Notification: February 8th, 2008

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN MY 1994 THROUGH 2002 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS-65, MVP-EF, ER, AND HDX-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 1994, AND APRIL 15, 2002. THE SEAT BELT MAY CHAFE ON THE EDGE OF A METAL BRACKET AND WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Corrective Summary:
THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ANY CHAFED SEAT BELTS AND REPLACE OR MODIFY THE RETAINER STRIP TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER CHAFING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

Recall Notes:
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-495.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V266000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 1st, 1993
Manufactured End Date: July 31st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: May 26th, 2000

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON CHEVROLET CHASSIS WITH A CORRUGATED STEEL FLOOR AND AND EQUIPPED WITH 45" WIDE RESTRAINING PASSENGER SEATS. THE 45" WIDE RESTRAINING PASSENGER SEAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO ADDITIONAL ANCHORAGE POINTS CONNECTING THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 26, 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V117000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: October 6th, 1997

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOORS. AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOMECAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.

Consequence Summary:
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 IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
THESE BUSES WERE ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V-139. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL SNAGGING POINT BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET. THEREFORE, OWNERS ARE BEING RENOTIFIED TO INSPECT THE ORIENTATION OF THE DOOR CONTROL. IF THE DOOR CONTROL DOES NOT MATCH THE ORIENTATION DESCRIBED IN THE RENOTIFICATION LETTER, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING CONTROL AND THE ORIGINAL RECALL REPAIR PART, REOIRIENT THE DOOR CONTROL, AND REINSTALL THE RECALL REPAIR PART.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 6, 1997.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 1-910-889-4871.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V162000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1992
Manufactured End Date: June 30th, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: January 6th, 1997

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON GM P3 CUTAWAY CHASSIS. THE SCHOOL BUS, WHEN TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 301, EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE FUEL SPILLAGE AS SPECIFIED BY THE STANDARD. THE FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT OF THE MOVING BARRIER.

Consequence Summary:
IF A VEHICLE CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS IS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH CARPENTER, THOMAS BUILT AND U.S. BUS IN PROVIDING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SHIELDING FOR THE FUEL TANK, NEW FILL PIPE AND VENT HOSES, AND IF REQUIRED, ADD ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS TO SECURE THE SCHOOL BUS BODY TO THE CHASSIS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 6, 1997. 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 GENERAL MOTORS AT 1-800-462-8782.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V162002
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1992
Manufactured End Date: June 30th, 1996

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON GM P3 CUTAWAY CHASSIS. THE SCHOOL BUS, WHEN TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 301, EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE FUEL SPILLAGE AS SPECIFIED BY THE STANDARD. THE FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT OF THE MOVING BARRIER.

Consequence Summary:
IF A VEHICLE CRASH WERE TO OCCUR, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS IS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THOMAS BUILT IN PROVIDING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL ADD NEW SHIELDING FOR THE FUEL TANK, NEW FILL PIPE AND VENT HOSES; AND, IF REQUIRED, ADD ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS TO SECURE THE SCHOOL BUS BODY TO THE CHASSIS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 1996.NOTE: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 1-910-889-4871 OR GENERAL MOTORS AT 1-800-462-8782.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V139000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1977
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: October 8th, 1996

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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 Notes:
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; BODY; HANDRAILS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. NOTE: 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 1-910-889-4871. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.