1983 Thomas THOMAS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 1984-10-16 (October 16, 1984)

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 STRAIGHT POSITION.

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.

Reported: 1985-02-19 (February 19, 1985)

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 DEFECT: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THESE GEARS TO FAIL WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY DOOR. THIS COULD RESULT IN PASSENGERS BEING TRAPPED IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.

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

Reported: 1985-11-04 (November 4, 1985)

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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF SANDER BECOMES DETACHED IT WILL POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PLATES TO PREVENT CRACKING OF FLOOR CHANNEL.

Reported: 1985-11-21 (November 21, 1985)

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 DEFECT: A FUEL SPILL COULD OCCUR AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

Reported: 1987-07-02 (July 2, 1987)

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.

Reported: 1988-08-09 (August 9, 1988)

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.

Reported: 1988-11-08 (November 8, 1988)

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.