The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas CL960 | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Thomas Conventional | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Thomas ER Transit | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Thomas MVP | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Thomas TL960 | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Thomas Vista | 1996, 1997, 1998 |
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 CL960 | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas CL960 | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas CL960 | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Conventional | 1996 | 0 | 11 |
| Thomas Conventional | 1997 | 0 | 8 |
| Thomas Conventional | 1998 | 0 | 7 |
| Thomas ER Transit | 1996 | 0 | 5 |
| Thomas ER Transit | 1997 | 0 | 7 |
| Thomas ER Transit | 1998 | 0 | 6 |
| Thomas MVP | 1996 | 0 | 12 |
| Thomas MVP | 1997 | 0 | 9 |
| Thomas MVP | 1998 | 0 | 7 |
| Thomas TL960 | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas TL960 | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Thomas TL960 | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| Thomas Vista | 1996 | 0 | 5 |
| Thomas Vista | 1997 | 0 | 4 |
| Thomas Vista | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
Other seats recalls in 1998
10 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the seats; THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. filed 100 campaigns in all.
| 98V328000 22 Dec 1998 | COLLINS BUS CORPORATION |
| 98V317000 14 Dec 1998 | MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN |
| 98V308001 17 Nov 1998 | NEOPLAN USA CORP. |
| 98V238000 28 Sept 1998 | CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 98V163000 21 Jul 1998 | TIARA MOTOR COACH DIVISION |
| 98V145000 26 Jun 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V138000 23 Jun 1998 | NEW FLYER OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 98V078000 14 Apr 1998 | MOTO AMERICA INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998