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Thomas School BusYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 22 safety recalls on record for the Thomas School Bus.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints21Top: SeatsSafety recalls221977–2011 model years

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

Best & worst years

Thomas School Bus 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 School Bus median. Tap a year for its full report.

'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'04'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2011Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2010Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2009Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2002Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1995Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1994Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1993Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1992Not rated–/1000 complaints · 10 recalls1991Not rated–/1000 complaints · 11 recalls1990Not rated–/1000 complaints · 12 recalls1989Not rated–/1000 complaints · 9 recalls1988Not rated–/1000 complaints · 8 recalls1987Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls1986Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls1985Not rated–/1000 complaints · 6 recalls1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1983Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Thomas School Bus problems

All model years combined: 21 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
Seats50
Exterior lighting50
Electrical system32
Engine and engine cooling21
Structure10
Suspension10
Visibility11
Fuel system, gasoline11
Service brakes11
1 other systems10
22 recalls

Thomas School Bus recalls

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

–Suspension05V-284 · 2004 · Jun 14, 2005 · 634 vehicles–Structure: body96V-080 · 1977–1996 · May 6, 1996 · 13,545 vehicles–Structure: body96V-065 · 1992–1996 · Apr 15, 1996 · 37,717 vehicles–Structure: body96V-054 · 1977–1992 · Mar 26, 1996 · 4,500 vehicles–Doors: latch94V-214 · 1994 · Nov 1, 1994 · 1,458 vehicles–Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator94V-120 · 1994 · Jun 27, 1994 · 285 vehicles–Other: labels94V-092 · 1991–1993 · May 13, 1994 · 423 vehicles–Structure: body93V-032 · 1977–1992 · Mar 29, 1993 · 87,000 vehicles–Seats93V-029 · 1991–1992 · Mar 3, 1993 · 188 vehicles–Visibility: glass, side/rear93V-013 · 1990–1993 · Jan 1, 1993 · 24,570 vehicles–Seats92V-126 · 1991–1992 · Sep 8, 1992 · 1,526 vehicles–Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings92V-078 · 1992 · May 19, 1992 · 24 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 22 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the School Bus

  1. STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSEA07002 · 2004 · closed Jul 12, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-289
  2. SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURESEA04014 · 1999–2002 · closed Dec 20, 2004
    No recall
  3. HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURESPE04012 · 1999–2002 · closed Jun 9, 2004
    No recall
  4. UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRESPE98020 · 1993–1996 · closed Sep 21, 1998
    No recall
  5. ELECTRICAL FIREPE93053 · 1988–1993 · closed Aug 30, 1993
    No recall
  6. HANDRAIL SNAGSPE93002 · 1982 · closed Mar 31, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-032