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1996 Thomas School BusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1996 Thomas School Bus, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Structure

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 16, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Thomas School Bus has problems

2 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
Structure10
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Thomas School Bus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 96V-080 · May 6, 1996 · 13,545 vehicles

Risk. WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Structure: body

Recall 96V-065 · Apr 15, 1996 · 37,717 vehicles

Risk. A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND IF THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Thomas.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other School Bus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the School Bus median. How we score

'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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Thomas School Bus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRESPE98020 · closed Sep 21, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What School Bus owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PARTS FOR RECALL 96V08000 CONCERNING STRUCTURE: BODY: GRAB BAR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SHIP DIDN'T KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK
Complaint 8016544 · Aug 16, 2002

Own a 1996 School Bus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.