NHTSA vehicle safety data
1995 Thomas Vista Recalls & Complaints
The 1995 Thomas Vista has 6 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 1995 Thomas Vista. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1995 Thomas Vista owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1995 Thomas Vista, describing incidents dated May 21, 1999.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #726856 · Filed
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 60,000 WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AGAIN AT 85,000 AND THEN AGAIN AT THE PRESENT
THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 111/MIRRORS
NHTSA #98V309000 · Visibility — Rearview Mirrors/Devices — Exterior · NHTSA notice
Reported December 7, 1998 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 500 vehicles
Owners notified April 27, 1999 · Vehicles built June 1, 1993 – November 30, 1998 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A NAVISTAR CHASSIS. THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS." THE ENTIRE TOP SURFACE OF CYLINDER H IS NOT VISIBLE AS REQUIRED.
Safety consequence
A DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE BUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS NEAR THE BUS.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT DEALERS CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27,1999. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 222/SEATS
NHTSA #97V192000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported November 1, 1997 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 2,391 vehicles
Owners notified March 8, 1999 · Vehicles built December 22, 1995 – September 3, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE FLIP SEATS INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REARWARD PUSH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 1999.A PRELIMINARY OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS MAILED JUNE 12, 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE 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.
Structure — Body
Reported July 23, 1996 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 120,371 vehicles
Owners notified October 8, 1996 · Vehicles built April 1, 1977 – July 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.
Safety consequence
IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
A MOLDED COVER WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE OPENING THAT COULD ALLOW AN ITEM OF A CHILD'S CLOTHING TO BECOME SNAGGED.
Notes
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; BODY; HANDRAILS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. NOTE: 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 1-910-889-4871. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Structure — Body
Reported June 17, 1996 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 6,358 vehicles
Owners notified September 9, 1996 · Vehicles built July 1, 1991 – February 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN A SMALL OPENING AT THE FLOOR LEVEL OF THE FORWARD DOOR POST.
Safety consequence
A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING COULD BECOME CAUGHT IN THE SMALL OPENING AND IF THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
A FILLER PLATE WILL BE ATTACHED ON THOMAS CONVENTIONALS OR A PIECE OF RUBBER TRIM ON THOMAS VISTAS TO THE FORWARD DOOR POST AT THE FLOOR LEVEL TO COVER THE OPENING AND ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SNAGGING.
Notes
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; BODY; HANDRAILS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN FRONT HEATER OPTIONS AND OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOORS. NOTE: 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 1-910-889-4871. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage
Reported July 20, 1995 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 17 vehicles
Owners notified July 28, 1995 · Vehicles built May 1, 1995 – June 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE WRONG ATTACHMENT BOLTS WERE USED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Safety consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD SUFFER INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IF THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILED IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE NONCOMPLYING 5/16" BOLTS FROM THE ANCHORAGES AND REPLACE THEM WITH 7/16" BOLTS.
Notes
SYSTEM: INTERIOR; RESTRAINT; BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT; FMVSS NO.209.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER'S SEAT PRE-ASSEMBLED BY NATIONAL SEATING.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLETIME, 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.
Visibility — Glass, Side/Rear
Reported May 1, 1995 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 350 vehicles
Owners notified August 7, 1995 · Vehicles built September 1, 1994 – April 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE ROOF HATCHES ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE EXTERIOR HANDLE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
Safety consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, RESCUE PERSONNEL MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE ROOF HATCHES FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING ROOF HATCH LID AND REPLACE IT WITH A LID EQUIPPED WITH AN EXTERIOR HANDLE.
Notes
SYSTEM: VISUAL; GLASS; OTHER; FMVSS NO. 217.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ROOF HATCHES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE 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.
Other Thomas Vista model years
Check your 1995 Thomas Vista VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas Vista at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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