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Thomas Saf-t-linerYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 5 owner complaints and 25 safety recalls on record for the Thomas Saf-t-liner.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints5Top: Air bagsSafety recalls251977–2002 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Thomas Saf-t-liner years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Saf-t-liner median. Tap a year for its full report.

'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2002Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2000Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1998Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1996Not rated–/1000 complaints · 10 recalls1995Not rated–/1001 complaint · 11 recalls1994Not rated–/1000 complaints · 13 recalls1993Not rated–/1000 complaints · 10 recalls1992Not rated–/1000 complaints · 7 recalls1991Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls1990Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls1989Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1988Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls1987Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1986Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1985Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1983Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Thomas Saf-t-liner problems

All model years combined: 5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Power train11
Service brakes, air10
Steering10
Structure10
25 recalls

Thomas Saf-t-liner recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Structure: body04V-398 · 1995–1996 · Aug 12, 2004 · 2,125 vehicles–Seats01V-341 · 2001 · Nov 1, 2001 · 708 vehicles–Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal01V-103 · 2000–2001 · Mar 27, 2001 · 146 vehicles–Seats97V-192 · 1995–1997 · Nov 1, 1997 · 2,391 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar97V-177 · 1997 · Oct 20, 1997 · 953 vehicles–12v/24v/48v battery: cables97V-133 · 1988–1997 · Aug 22, 1997 · 8,107 vehicles–Drum: chamber97V-030 · 1988–1996 · Mar 3, 1997 · 695 vehicles–Service brakes, air97V-020 · 1995–1996 · Feb 18, 1997 · 55 vehicles–Electrical system: wiring97V-018 · 1994–1996 · Feb 12, 1997 · 1,800 vehicles–Seats96V-178 · 1996 · Jan 13, 1997 · 38 vehicles–Structure: body96V-164 · 1992–1996 · Sep 5, 1996 · 2,117 vehicles–Structure: body96V-139 · 1977–1996 · Jul 23, 1996 · 120,371 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 25 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Saf-t-liner

  1. SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURESEA04014 · 2000–2001 · closed Dec 20, 2004
    No recall
  2. HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUITPE00008 · 1998 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-174
  3. PRNDL MISALIGNMENTPE95029 · 1994 · closed Sep 19, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-148
  4. BRAKE TREADLE VALVE CORRODESPE94025 · 1988–1994 · closed Apr 20, 1994
    No recall
  5. HANDRAIL SNAGSPE93002 · null · closed Mar 31, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-032
  6. AXLE/UNIVER.YOKE FAILUREPE92035 · 1989–1991 · closed Aug 20, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-120