1988 Thomas Saf-t-liner Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V133000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: June 12th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: October 24th, 1997

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH IN-LINE SIX ENGINE,"S" TYPE FRAME RAILS AND SIDE MOUNTED BATTERY BOX. THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING ALLOWS THE POSITIVE CABLE TO CHAFE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CABLE.

Consequence Summary:
IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES TO SECURE THE CABLE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 24, 1997. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE 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: 97V030000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: January 31st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: April 28th, 1997

Defect Summary:
CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGNS OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING APRIL 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: 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V021000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1996
Date of Owner Notification: April 8th, 1996

Defect Summary:
CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE CHAMBER CLAMP BAND.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE DAMAGE TO THE CLAMP BAND RESULTED IN BAND BREAKAGE, THE CHAMBER COULD COME APART RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBER FOR SIGN OF CONTACT. IF CONTACT IS INDICATED, THE BRAKE CAM SHAFT AND CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED, ELIMINATING THE POSSIBLITY OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM.

Recall Notes:
THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY CAMPAIGN 97V030000.SYSTEM: BRAKES; AIR; DRUM AND SHOE SYSTEMS; CHAMBER; BRAKE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES, 66-90 PASSENGER, TYPE "D", REAR ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH 10" BRAKES AND "NEWAY" AIR SUSPENSION. 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 1-800-424-9393.1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 88V075000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1988
Manufactured End Date: March 1st, 1988
Date of Owner Notification: July 5th, 1988

Defect Summary:
A PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE WAS OMITTED IN FRONT AIR BRAKE PLUMBING THAT IS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 121.

Consequence Summary:
IF A LEAK DEVELOPS IN THE AIR BRAKE PLUMBING, AIR INFRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FRONT AIR BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES.