NHTSA vehicle safety data
2001 Thomas Conventional Recalls & Complaints
The 2001 Thomas Conventional has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Thomas Conventional. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2001 Thomas Conventional owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2001 Thomas Conventional, describing incidents dated June 15, 2007.
Most-cited components
- Structure 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10197783 · Filed
FRAME RAIL AND CROSSMEMBER BREAKAGE IN REAR AXLE AREA ON FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES. *JB
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Thomas Conventional in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA04-014: SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES
Closed December 20, 2004
THOMAS BUILT/SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
NHTSA #02V160009 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice
Reported October 31, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 2,371 vehicles
Owners notified February 10, 2003 · Vehicles built August 17, 2000 – March 14, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY. THE SEAT BELT SUPPLIER, AMSAFE, WILL PROVIDE A SNAP ON "OVER-COVER" TO OWNERS TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT COVER FROM SEPARATING.
Safety consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-841-5924 OR AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 121/AIR BRAKE CHECK VALVE
NHTSA #02V062000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice
Reported February 22, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 51 vehicles
Owners notified May 10, 2002 · Vehicles built September 24, 2001 – December 10, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE BUSES DO NOT HAVE A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN THE WET TANK AND THE SECONDARY TANK.
Safety consequence
THE ABSENCE OF A CHECK VALVE COULD CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A CHECK VALVE. THE UNITS AFFECTED ARE ONLY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 222/SEAT
NHTSA #01V341000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported November 1, 2001 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 708 vehicles
Owners notified November 13, 2001 · Vehicles built March 5, 2001 – August 10, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SYNTEC SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SOME SEATS (1) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FOUR INCH CLEARANCE DURING THE TEST PROCEDURE, WHILE STILL MEETING THE POST TEST CONDITION; (2) FAIL TO MEET THE REQUIRED FRONTAL PRE-LOAD WHEN TESTING UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; OR (3) WHILE STILL MEETING THE REQUIRED FORCE/DEFECTION, EXPERIENCE WELD BREAKAGE.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME AND THE SEAT BACK CUSHION ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT/WIRE CHAFFING
NHTSA #01V214000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice
Reported June 26, 2001 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 16,165 vehicles
Owners notified September 14, 2001 · Vehicles built January 9, 1999 – May 15, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE MAIN BODY POWER SUPPLY WIRE FROM THE CHASSIS CAN CHAFE ON THE CHASSIS (COWL) SHEET METAL PANEL, CAUSING ARCING AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Safety consequence
IF THE BUS CATCHES ON FIRE, POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS CAN OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSPECTION AND REMEDY PROCEDURES TO BE USED IN CORRECTING THIS CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Thomas Conventional model years
Check your 2001 Thomas Conventional VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas Conventional at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Thomas VIN