1990 Thomas Built Bus Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1990 Thomas Built Bus has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 13,135 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

POWER TRAIN 92V120000 1992-08-24 1 affected
Defect

THE DRIVESHAFT USED WITH SOME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATIONS HAD INSUFFICIENT WELDS JOINING SOME OF THE COMPONENTS.

Consequence

THE BAD WELDS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS THAT CAN CAUSE COMPLETESEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER FOR THEVEHICLE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE DEFECTIVE NORTH AMERICAN DRIVESHAFTS WITH SPICER DRIVESHAFTS.

VISIBILITY 92V013000 1992-01-03 7,500 affected
Defect

THE CENTER ACTUATOR THAT RELEASES TWO CATCHES VIA TWO PULL RODS CAN BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL FROM POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, LACK OF LUBRICATION, CORROSION, OR A COMBINATION ALL THREE CAUSES.

Consequence

WHEN THE CENTER ACTUATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, THE WINDOWIS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT IN CASEOF A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REMOVE THE OLD CENTER ACTUATOR AND INSTALL AN IMPROVED ACTUATOR.

VISIBILITY 91V006000 1991-10-03 2,986 affected
Defect

RELEASE HANDLE FOR REAR PUSH OUT WINDOW IS NOT LOCATED IN AREA REQUIRED BY S5.2.3.1(B) OF FMVSS 217.

Consequence

BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARDS; IN AN EMERGENCY,EXIT FROM THE PUSH-OUT WINDOW COULD BE HAMPERED.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW INTERIOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 91V169000 1991-10-01 407 affected
Defect

THE FUEL SHUT-OFF SOLENOID IN THE CUMMINS 6C ENGINE MAY BE FAULTY, CAUSING SPONTANEOUS INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER TO DRIVING WHEELS, POWER STEERING, AND OTHER POWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS.

Consequence

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SECONDARY LOSS OF POWER ASSISTEDSYSTEMS REDUCES STEERING CONTROL, BRAKING ABILITY, VISUAL SYSTEMS AND OTHERPOWER ASSISTED OPERATING SYSTEMS, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLEACCIDENT.

Remedy

WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID SPRING, ADJUST SOLENOID, REPLACE WIRES, AND VERIFY MAXIMUM POWER REQUIREMENTS TO THE SOLENOID.

STEERING 91V159000 1991-09-12 800 affected
Defect

THE STEERING LINKAGE (DRAG LINK) BETWEEN THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN ARM AND THE STEERING ARM ON THE AXLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED.

Consequence

THE DRAG LINK COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT EITHER ENDWHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL CORRECT PINS AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTELLATED NUTS.

SEAT BELTS 91V058000 1991-04-15 1,393 affected
Defect

DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT IS TOO SHORT TO MEET LENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 209.

Consequence

SHORT SAFETY BELTS WOULD DISCOURAGE DRIVER FROM USINGTHEM. SEAT OCCUPANT NOT USING SAFETY BELT WOULD NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION INCASE OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A COMPLIANT VERSION.

SEAT BELTS 90V025000 1990-02-09 48 affected
Defect

UPPER ANCHORAGE OF TYPE 2 SAFETY BELT INSTALLED AT THE DRIVER'S SEATING POSITION IS NOT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED RANGE AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210.

Consequence

BELTS MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND OBSTRUCT VISION TO THE LEFT; BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.

Remedy

INSTALL REINFORCING CHANNEL ASSURING THAT BELTS ARE WITHIN SPECIFIED RANGE.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Thomas Built Bus as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.