Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
115,347 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 8/9/05 INVOLVING AN SUV AND A THOMAS BUILT TYPE C WHEEL CHAIR BUS. THE DRIVER OF THE SUV CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND HIT THE BUS HEAD ON. THE ESTIMATED SPEED OF THE SUV WAS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT THE SERVICE DOOR OPENED AND ONE OF THE BUS OCCUP…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 8/9/05 INVOLVING AN SUV AND A THOMAS BUILT TYPE C WHEEL CHAIR BUS. THE DRIVER OF THE SUV CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND HIT THE BUS HEAD ON. THE ESTIMATED SPEED OF THE SUV WAS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT THE SERVICE DOOR OPENED AND ONE OF THE BUS OCCUPANTS WAS EJECTED. TWO PERSONS IN THE BUS WERE INJURED AND THE DRIVER OF THE SUV WAS KILLED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE DOOR WAS LATCHED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE LATCH. THE BUS MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED TO INSPECT THE SERVICE DOOR OF THE BUS. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. *JB UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142700
24,000 miles · Mar 15, 2004
Tires
WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 65 MPH REAR INSIDE PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. MICHELIN, SIZE 255/80R22.5, DOT#V6H6AK30100. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063173
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2000
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS ON THE BUSES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. HAVE 2 OF THE BUCKLES NEAR THE WINDOWS; 3 LATCH PLATES IN THE MIDDLE & 1 OTHER BUCKLE IS LOCATED IN THE AISLE. CANNOT PLACE ANYONE IN EITHER OF THE SEATS DUE TO NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO LATCH OR BUCKLE INTO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #872772
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
PE07008 · Restricted Brake Pedal Movement
Opened Feb 12, 2007 · Closed Apr 16, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:controls:foot Control/valve
ODI WAS CONTACTED BY THE NEW YORK DOT WHO REPORTEDSEVERAL BUSES FAILED BRAKING TESTS WHEN BEING TESTED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE SUBJECT SCHOOL BUSES ARE OPTIONED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL POSITIONING DEVICE THAT ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO RAISE AND LOWER THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT TO SUIT HIS/HER SEATING POSITION.WHEN THE LOWEST PEDAL POSITION IS SELECTED (BY A BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD), NYDOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMED OUT ON THE FLOOR, THUS PREVENTING A FULL BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION.THIS RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKE TORQUE AT THE WHEEL ENDS.FREIGHTLINER WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.THE REMEDY CALLS FOR A LONGER PEDAL PUSH ROD BEING INSTALLED IN- PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL PUSH ROD. THEY ALSO INCREASED THE POPULATION TO INCLUDE THE MVP-ER MODEL BUSES.THIS RESOLVES THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL FAILED SWITCHES THAT SHOW SIGNS OF MELTING OR DAMAGE FROM OVER- HEATING.THE SWITCH SUPPLIER HAS INITIATED A TEST PROGRAM TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THESE FAILURES.ODI IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF A HEAT SOURCE THAT POTENTIALLY COULD LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AS WELL AS THE ABSENCE OF NECESSARY VEHICLE LIGHTING.ODI WILL CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION TO VERIFY THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM REPRESENTED BY THE REPORTED FAILURES AND EVALUATE THE ASSOCIATED RISKS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL FAILED SWITCHES THAT SHOW SIGNS OF MELTING OR DAMAGE FROM OVER- HEATING.THE SWITCH SUPPLIER HAS INITIATED A TEST PROGRAM TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THESE FAILURES.ODI IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF A HEAT SOURCE THAT POTENTIALLY COULD LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AS WELL AS THE ABSENCE OF NECESSARY VEHICLE LIGHTING.ODI WILL CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION TO VERIFY THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM REPRESENTED BY THE REPORTED FAILURES AND EVALUATE THE ASSOCIATED RISKS.
Interior Lighting
ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL FAILED SWITCHES THAT SHOW SIGNS OF MELTING OR DAMAGE FROM OVER- HEATING.THE SWITCH SUPPLIER HAS INITIATED A TEST PROGRAM TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THESE FAILURES.ODI IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF A HEAT SOURCE THAT POTENTIALLY COULD LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AS WELL AS THE ABSENCE OF NECESSARY VEHICLE LIGHTING.ODI WILL CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION TO VERIFY THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM REPRESENTED BY THE REPORTED FAILURES AND EVALUATE THE ASSOCIATED RISKS.
2000 Thomas Bus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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