1997 Thomas Built Conventional Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Thomas Built Conventional has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 28,351 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 00V360000 2000-11-03 11,500 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A STORAGE COMPARTMENT OVERHEAD TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER FAIL TO MEET FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONTACT WITH THIS STORAGE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT MEET THE IMPACT ZONE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD PADDING TO THE SIDES OF THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 8, 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 1-336-889-4871.

SEATS 00V362000 2000-11-03 6,500 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING'S SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING THE GAS SPRING SHOCK TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER OF THE SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.

Consequence

IF THE BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED AFTER DEFORMING, AND IS ALLOWED TO BREAK, ITS BREAKING WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY

SEATS 99V175000 1999-07-02 744 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSION DRIVER SEAT. TETHER BELTS USED TO ANCHOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE FLOOR WERE NOT INSTALLED ON BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR RIDE DRIVER SEAT. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE TETHER BELT ASSEMBLY.

SEATS 99V173000 1999-07-02 2,175 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. RESTRAINING BARRIERS AND REINFORCEMENT PLATES MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. NUTS USED TO SECURE THE PLATE THE FLOOR MAY BE MISSING OR THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE MAY BE MOUNTED IN A NON-STANDARD LOCATION. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER…

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BARRIERS AND PLATES, INSTALL ANY NUTS THAT ARE MISSING, AND MOUNT THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE CORRECTLY.

VISIBILITY 98V309000 1998-12-07 500 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS." THE ENTIRE TOP SURFACE OF CYLINDER H IS NOT VISIBLE AS REQUIRED.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT DEALERS CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

SEATS 98V229000 1998-09-17 4,300 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.

VISIBILITY 98V011000 1998-01-21 241 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE VISIBILITY REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence

THE DRIVER OF THE BUS MAY NOT HAVE A CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO THE REAR.

Remedy

NEW MIRRORS WHICH INCORPORATE MIRROR ARMS THAT WILL MOVE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS FORWARD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES.

SEATS 97V192000 1997-11-01 2,391 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE FLIP SEATS INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REARWARD PUSH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

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 1997 Thomas Built Conventional as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.