1983 Thomas Built Thomas Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1983 Thomas Built Thomas has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 12,065 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 88V176000 1988-11-08 1,541 affected
Defect

MOVABLE PART OF SEAT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE SEAT BELT.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER.

Remedy

INSTALL A TETHER STRAP.

STRUCTURE 88V134000 1988-08-09 51 affected
Defect

LUGGAGE RACK ABOVE THE SEATS PROTRUDES INTO THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE HEAD IMPACT ZONE.

Consequence

BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.

Remedy

REPOSITION LUGGAGE RACK.

STRUCTURE 87V096000 1987-07-02 7,330 affected
Defect

OPENING THE ROOF HATCH PAST 90 DEGREES CAN DISENGAGE THE HINGE PIN RETAINER RING ALLOWING THE HINGE PINS TO WORK OUT.

Consequence

ROOF HATCH COULD SEPARATE FROM THE BUS AND INJUREINDIVIDUALS IN THE VICINITY.

Remedy

INSTALL TWO HINGE PINS TO PREVENT ROOF HATCH SEPARATION.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 85V154000 1985-11-21 1,520 affected
Defect

THE BODY IS SUBJECT TO SHIFT FORWARD DURING AN IMPACT AND THE FUEL FILLER HOSE AND/OR FUEL VENT LINE HOSE MAY SEPARATE FROM EITHER THE FUEL FILLER NECK OR THE GAS TANK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301. CONSEQUENCE OF…

Remedy

INSTALL NEW FUEL FILLER AND VENT LINE HOSES, WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BEING STRETCHED BEYOND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE BODY COULD SHIFT FORWARD DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT.

STRUCTURE 85V143000 1985-11-04 96 affected
Defect

SANDERS WERE INSTALLED WITHOUT REINFORCEMENT PLATES AT POINT WHERE MOUNTING ANGLE BRACKETS ARE ATTACHED TO THE BUS BODY FLOOR CHANNEL. FLOOR CHANNEL MAY CRACK, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE SANDER TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE BUS BODY FLOOR CHANNEL. …

Remedy

INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PLATES TO PREVENT CRACKING OF FLOOR CHANNEL.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 85V017000 1985-02-19 27 affected
Defect

THE RACK AND GEAR TYPE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE EMERGENCY DOORS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED BY MISUSE OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, MAKING THE GEARS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE OF…

Remedy

INSTALL COMPLETE NEW LATCH ASSEMBLIES WITH METAL GEARS TO REPLACE THE NYLON MATERIAL.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 84V130000 1984-10-16 1,500 affected
Defect

THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BREAK; THE BROKEN PIECE MAY BECOME JAMMED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNAL AND TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE EITHER INCREASED STEERING EFFORT IN THE TURN, OR BINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE WHEEL IS RETURNED TO A…

Remedy

A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO OWNERS; OWNER HAS THE OPTION TO MAKE THE REPAIR HIMSELF OR HAVE IT DONE BY A DEALER. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER FOR THE SWITCH OR THE REPAIR.

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 1983 Thomas Built Thomas as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.