The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.
The risk
BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.
The remedy
OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas ER Model | 1997 |
| Thomas MVP | 1997 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1997 |
Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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 ER Model | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas MVP | 1997 | 0 | 9 |
| Thomas SAF-T-Liner | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
Other steering recalls in 1997
14 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the steering; THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. filed 100 campaigns in all.
| 97V191000 1 Nov 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V181000 20 Oct 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V169000 7 Oct 1997 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 97V165000 30 Sept 1997 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 97V154000 12 Sept 1997 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 97V138000 29 Aug 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V142000 29 Aug 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V129000 28 Aug 1997 | ORION BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997