The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.
The risk
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The remedy
AM-SAFE NOTIFIED THOMAS BUILT'S CUSTOMERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 21, 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas Conventional | 2000 |
| Thomas ER Model | 2000 |
| Thomas Minotour | 2000 |
| Thomas MVP EF | 2000 |
| Thomas MVP ER | 2000 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Conventional | 2000 | 0 | 7 |
| Thomas ER Model | 2000 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas MVP EF | 2000 | 0 | 11 |
| Thomas MVP ER | 2000 | 0 | 12 |
| Thomas Minotour | 2000 | 0 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the seat belts; FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION filed 151 campaigns in all.
| 01V386000 18 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V380000 13 Dec 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V351000 26 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V345000 6 Nov 2001 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V337000 18 Oct 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V166002 14 Aug 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V227002 6 Aug 2001 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 01V227001 16 Jul 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001