1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner. The newest campaign is 97V133000. NHTSA received the report on 22 Aug 1997. The NHTSA record gives the component Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year. 2 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 97V133000, in the NHTSA record

Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

13 campaigns, newest first. 139,965 units in total.

97V13300022 Aug 1997Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables
97V0300003 Mar 1997Service Brakes, Air / Drum / Chamber
97V01800012 Feb 1997Electrical System / Wiring
96V1640005 Sep 1996Structure / Body
96V13900023 Jul 1996Structure / Body
96V02100029 Jan 1996Service Brakes, Air / Drum / Chamber
95V18800225 Sep 1995Fuel System, Other / Storage / Tank Assembly / Pressure Relief Devices
95V1480007 Aug 1995Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
95V0870001 May 1995Visibility / Glass, Side/Rear
95V0420003 Mar 1995Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
95V00400011 Jan 1995Seat Belts / Front / Retractor
94V1720007 Sep 1994Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Pump
94V1430001 Aug 1994Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist System

97V133000Received 22 Aug 1997. 8,107 units.
Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with in-line six engine,"s" type frame rails and side mounted battery box. The battery cable routing allows the positive cable to chafe resulting in a possible short circuit of the cable.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 24 Oct 1997.
97V030000Received 3 Mar 1997. 695 units.
Service Brakes, Air / Drum / Chamber
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the damage to the clamp band resulted in band breakage, the chamber could come apart resulting in loss of the service brakes. The emergency brakes would automatically apply.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect the brake chamber for signs of contact. If contact is indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possibility of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 28 Apr 1997.
97V018000Received 12 Feb 1997. 1,800 units.
Electrical System / Wiring
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The nut that secures the vehicle's main power supply can loosen causing loss of contact.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition can result in a loss of vehicle power increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Thomas built will ship repair parts and a detailed repair procedure to the bus owners. The repair will consist of removing the original nut, located at the electrical panel, that secures the vehicle's main power supply, and replacing it with a flat washer and locking nut.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 31 Mar 1997.
96V164000Received 5 Sep 1996. 2,117 units.
Structure / Body
Defect, in the NHTSA record
An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught on the fateners that secure the handrail support to the handrail.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
The existing 1" bolts that secure the handrail support will be replaced with 1/2" bolts.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Dec 1996.
96V139000Received 23 Jul 1996. 120,371 units.
Structure / Body
Defect, in the NHTSA record
An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught in the area between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
A molded cover will be installed between the manually operated outward opening entrance door and the door control rod attaching bracket which will eliminate the opening that could allow an item of a child's clothing to become snagged.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Oct 1996.
96V021000Received 29 Jan 1996. 730 units.
Service Brakes, Air / Drum / Chamber
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the damage to the clamp band resulted in band breakage, the chamber could come apart resulting in loss of the service brakes. The emergency brakes would automatically apply.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect the brake chamber for sign of contact. If contact is indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possiblity of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Apr 1996.
95V188002Received 25 Sep 1995. 75 units.
Fuel System, Other / Storage / Tank Assembly / Pressure Relief Devices
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Some temperature sensitive triggers were not x-rayed. These triggers could contain internal voids that would make the triggers susceptible to advanced creep causing false activation and venting of the cng.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Venting of the cng could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Thomas built will replace the type III pressure relief valve with the newer design "generation 2.5" pressure relief device.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Feb 1996.
95V148000Received 7 Aug 1995. 1,413 units.
Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The automatic transmission will not shift into low gear due to a misalignment in the prndl indicator.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Prndl misalignment can cause the driver to be unawareof the gear position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will correct the misalignment of the automatic transmission.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Oct 1995.
95V087000Received 1 May 1995. 350 units.
Visibility / Glass, Side/Rear
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The roof hatches on these buses do not meet the exterior handle requirements of FMVSS no. 217, "bus window retention and release."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Consequence of non-compliance: in the event of an emergency, rescue personnel may not be able to open the roof hatches from the outside.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will remove the existing roof hatch lid and replace it with a lid equipped with an exterior handle.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Aug 1995.
95V042000Received 3 Mar 1995. 50 units.
Equipment / Appliance / Air Conditioner
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The air conditioning hose covers do not meet the head impact requirements of FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Consequence of non-compliance: this condition can cause personal injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will reroute the cover from the head impact zone and also replace the metal cover with a plastic cover.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Jun 1995.
95V004000Received 11 Jan 1995. 3,076 units.
Seat Belts / Front / Retractor
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The metal housing of the safety belt retractors on automatic locking retractor/emergency locking retractor safety belts can become deformed preventing extension and/or retraction of the belt.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Passengers would be unable to extend or retract their safety belts and would be at a risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a hardened washer which will decrease the possibility of deformation of the safety belt retractor. Damaged retractors will be replaced.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 10 Mar 1995.
94V172000Received 7 Sep 1994. 31 units.
Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Pump
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The air compressor that drives the power steering pump can fail, resulting in loss of power steering assist.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Loss of power steering assist can cause loss of steering control resulting in an accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the air compressor with a new, high capacity air compressor.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC..
94V143000Received 1 Aug 1994. 1,150 units.
Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist System
Defect, in the NHTSA record
A sudden hydraulic pressure loss during hard turns results in a momentary loss of power steering assist. The pressure loss occurs when the hydraulically driven engine cooling fan turns off in the turn.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The driver reacts to the loss of power steering assist by oversteering, which could result in a vehicle accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
The hydraulic control valves will be replaced with valves of a new design. Until such time as parts are available, owners will be instructed to disconnect the fan cutoff switch so that hydraulically driven fans will run full time, eliminating the pressure spike.
Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Oct 1994.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
PE95029	Preliminary evaluation	PRNDL MISALIGNMENT	Power Train	5 May 1995	19 Sep 1995	95V148000
PE94025	Preliminary evaluation	BRAKE TREADLE VALVE CORRODES	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	7 Mar 1994	20 Apr 1994

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1994 Thomas SAF-T-LinerThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/thomas/saf-t-liner/1994/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner?: 139,965 units in 13 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Thomas SAF-T-Liner have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for the Thomas SAF-T-Liner, model years 1977 to 2002. 13 of them name the 1994 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1994 Thomas SAF-T-Liner open?: No. Each of the 2 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.