2004 Thomas School BusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2004 Thomas School Bus, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 23, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Thomas School Bus has problems

1 complaint 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
Electrical system11

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

1 recall

2004 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.

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

2004 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 2004 Thomas School Bus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKSEA07002 · closed Jul 12, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-289
In owners' words

What School Bus owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 THOMAS SCHOOL BUS BODY EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT.…
Complaint 10545001 · Sep 23, 2013

Own a 2004 School Bus?

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