U.S. public vehicle records

Thomas SAF-T-LINER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

5 owner complaints analyzed

25 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1977 to 2002 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	1	20.0%
Fuel system concerns	1	20.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber

Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System

Structure:Frame And Members

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags	1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	1
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	1
Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber	1
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	1
Structure:Frame And Members	1

Air Bags: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1999

2000

2002

2010

1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 2; 2010: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 874794 · 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)

REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 758122 · 2002-02-12 (February 12, 2002)

DRIVER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE BUS AND PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE BUS. AIR RIDE BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. FOUND PROBLEM - A NUT HAD FALLEN OFF THE CONTROL ARM OF THE AIR PRESSURE VALVE, CAUSING AIR RIDE BAGS TO DEFLATE. IT WAS REPAIRED. BUS CONTINUED ON ROUTE. 15-20 SECONDS INTO ROUTE, DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND BROKE OFF THE BUS, STRIKING A PASSING VEHICLE. IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK OF THE PASSING VEHICLE. WE WERE NOT WARNED THAT IF AIR RIDE BAGS WERE DEPLOYED, THE DRIVE LINE WOULD FAIL, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH TO STUDEN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 758122 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

2000

2001

2002

1986: 3; 1987: 3; 1988: 5; 1989: 4; 1990: 5; 1991: 5; 1992: 7; 1993: 10; 1994: 13; 1995: 11; 1996: 10; 1997: 3; 1998: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Thomas SAF-T-LINER model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1977	0	1	Not available
1978	0	1	0
1979	0	1	0
1980	0	2	+1
1981	0	2	0
1982	0	3	+1
1983	0	3	0
1984	0	3	0
1985	0	3	0
1986	0	3	0
1987	0	3	0
1988	0	5	+2
1989	0	4	-1
1990	0	5	+1
1991	0	5	0
1992	0	7	+2
1993	0	10	+3
1994	0	13	+3
1995	1	11	-2
1996	0	10	-1
1997	0	3	-7
1998	1	0	-3
2000	0	1	Not available
2001	1	2	+1
2002	2	0	-2

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 5 records

60.0%Valid incident date3 / 5 records

100.0%Valid filing date5 / 5 records

60.0%Ordered incident and filing dates3 / 5 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	2000	2001	2002
Air Bags	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 564684 THE AIR BAG DEFLATED CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FAIL AND SEPARATE FROM THE BUS. THE REPAIR WAS DONE, BUT THE AIR BAG DEFLATED AGAIN. *YH Look up ODI 564684 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 874794 REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 758122 DRIVER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE BUS AND PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE BUS. AIR RIDE BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. FOUND PROBLEM - A NUT HAD FALLEN OFF THE CONTROL ARM OF THE AIR PRESSURE VALVE, CAUSING AIR RIDE BAGS TO DEFLATE. IT WAS REPAIRED. BUS CONTINUED ON ROUTE. 15-20 SECONDS INTO ROUTE, DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND BROKE OFF THE BUS, STRIKING A PASSING VEHICLE. IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK OF THE PASSING VEHICLE. WE WERE NOT WARNED THAT IF AIR RIDE BAGS WERE DEPLOYED, THE DRIVE LINE WOULD FAIL, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH TO STUDEN… Look up ODI 758122 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10365958 CRACKED FRONT AIR CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKETS Look up ODI 10365958 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 874794 REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 609825 SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE FRAME WERE LOCATED BETWEEN THE SHOCK MOUNTINGS AND IN THE REAR CROSS MEMBER BRACKET. MJS Look up ODI 609825 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2001: 0 complaints · 2002: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	0	0	0
2002	2	2	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	1	0	0
2002	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber	Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	Structure:Frame And Members
Air Bags	—	0	0	0	0	0
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 874794 REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	0	0	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Air:Drum:Chamber	0	0	0	—	0	0
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System	0	1 ODI 874794 REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 874794

REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HAS A BOLT LOCK THAT IF OR WHEN TOUCHED CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Look up ODI 874794 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b