RecallRepo

2001 Thomas Built Conventional Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 Thomas Built Conventional has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 19,295 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 02V160009 2002-10-31 2,371 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT…

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT…

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 02V062000 2002-02-22 51 affected
Defect

CERTAIN BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE BUSES DO NOT HAVE A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN THE WET TANK AND THE SECONDARY TANK.

Consequence

THE ABSENCE OF A CHECK VALVE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A CHECK VALVE. THE UNITS AFFECTED ARE ONLY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT…

SEATS 01V341000 2001-11-01 708 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SYNTEC SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SOME SEATS (1) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FOUR INCH CLEARANCE DURING THE TEST PROCEDURE, WHILE STILL MEETING THE POST TEST CONDITION; (2)…

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME AND THE SEAT BACK CUSHION ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 01V214000 2001-06-26 16,165 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE MAIN BODY POWER SUPPLY WIRE FROM THE CHASSIS CAN CHAFE ON THE CHASSIS (COWL) SHEET METAL PANEL, CAUSING ARCING AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Consequence

IF THE BUS CATCHES ON FIRE, POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSPECTION AND REMEDY PROCEDURES TO BE USED IN CORRECTING THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS…

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
Total complaints1

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Frame rail and crossmember breakage in rear axle area on freightliner/thomas built school buses. *jb”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2007-06-15

Defect investigations

Investigation EA04014 Opened 2004-06-09 · closed 2004-12-20

SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES

SEE ATTACHED FOUR PAGE TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Investigation EA04014 Opened 2004-06-09 · closed 2004-12-20

SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES

SEE ATTACHED FOUR PAGE TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

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 2001 Thomas Built Conventional as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.