The defect
TWO THROTTLE RETURN SPRING DEFECTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. (1) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES MAY HAVE A THROTTLE RETURN SPRING THAT BREAKS AND PREVENTS THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL; (2) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS VT-225 ENGINES MAY HAVE THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE SLAVE CYLINDER INSTEAD OF THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP LEVER. IF FAILURE OCCURS IN THE ACCELERATION CONTROL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE MAY ACCELERATE TO ITS MAXIMUM GOVERNED RPM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN EITHER CASE, THROTTLE CONTROL WILL BE LOST WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy
A REPAIR KIT CONSISTING OF NEW SPRING, MOUNTING BRACKET AND PROPER REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE SHIPPED TO EACH OWNER AT NO CHARGE AND THE OWNER MAY MAKE HIS OWN REPAIRS, OR HAVE A THOMAS DISTRIBUTOR OR A REPUTABLE LOCAL SHOP MAKE THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 |
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS
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 SAF-T-Liner | 1982 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1983 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1984 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1985 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1986 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1982 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1983 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1984 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1985 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Transit Liner | 1986 | 0 | 2 |
Other vehicle speed control recalls in 1986
12 of the 173 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1986 concerned the vehicle speed control; THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. filed 100 campaigns in all.
| 86V146000 7 Nov 1986 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 86V132000 2 Oct 1986 | TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
| 86V130000 19 Sept 1986 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 86V129000 15 Sept 1986 | VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP. |
| 86V110000 12 Aug 1986 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 86V080000 20 Jun 1986 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 86V076000 10 Jun 1986 | COLLINS INDUSTRIES,INC. |
| 86V067000 27 May 1986 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1986