NHTSA campaign 97V177000
Thomas Recall 97V-177: THOMAS BUILT/STEERING LINKAGE
NHTSA recall 97V177000 was reported by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. on October 20, 1997, with 953 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Thomas ER Model, Thomas MVP and Thomas SAF-T-Liner for the 1997 model year. Owners were notified on October 17, 1997, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 97V177000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V177000 (also written 97V-177 or 97V177)
- Filed by
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 953 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
- Owners notified
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 97V177000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Thomas
Thomas ER Model
- 1997 · Vehicles built January 31, 1997 – October 10, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Thomas MVP
- 1997 · Vehicles built January 31, 1997 – October 10, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Thomas SAF-T-Liner
- 1997 · Vehicles built January 31, 1997 – October 10, 1997 (per NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 97V177000.
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.
Safety consequence
BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 17, 1997.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR SEAL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-910-889-4871.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 97V177000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.