The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SYNTEC SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SOME SEATS (1) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FOUR INCH CLEARANCE DURING THE TEST PROCEDURE, WHILE STILL MEETING THE POST TEST CONDITION; (2) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FRONTAL PRE-LOAD WHEN TESTING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; OR (3) WHILE STILL MEETING THE REQUIRED FORCE/DEFECTION, EXPERIENCE WELD BREAKAGE.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME AND THE SEAT BACK CUSHION ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2001. 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 336-889-4871.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas Conventional | 2001 |
| Thomas MVP EF | 2001 |
| Thomas MVP ER | 2001 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 2001 |
Components: SEATS
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 | 2001 | 1 | 4 |
| Thomas MVP EF | 2001 | 0 | 10 |
| Thomas MVP ER | 2001 | 1 | 12 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 2001 | 1 | 2 |
Other seats recalls in 2001
12 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the seats; FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION filed 151 campaigns in all.
| 01V383000 13 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V269000 26 Aug 2001 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 01V208000 5 Aug 2001 | A. GIRARDIN INC. |
| 01V244000 31 Jul 2001 | U.S. BUS CORPORATION |
| 01V235000 5 Jul 2001 | U.S. BUS CORPORATION |
| 01V234000 5 Jul 2001 | U.S. BUS CORPORATION |
| 01V108000 28 Mar 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V102000 26 Mar 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001