NHTSA vehicle safety data
1999 Thomas Vista Recalls & Complaints
The 1999 Thomas Vista has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1999 Thomas Vista. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Thomas Vista. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Exterior Emergency Door Handle may Detach
NHTSA #16V395000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported June 2, 2016 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 24,698 vehicles
Repair completion: 17.71% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-713 · Owners notified December 9, 2016 · Vehicles built January 4, 1999 – May 6, 1999 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 1998-2002 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Conventional, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner ER, 2000-2017 Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF, 1998-1999 Vista, 2003 Saf-T-Liner FS65, 2013-2017 Saf-T-liner C2, 2000-2002 Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER, 2013-2017 Saf-T-Liner HDX. In the affected vehicles, the stem that connects the outside emergency door handle to the emergency door opening mechanism may corrode.
Safety consequence
If the stem corrodes, the door handle could detach from the emergency door opening mechanism, delaying the opening of the door and the evacuation of the bus. In the event of an emergency, this may increase the risk of injury to the bus occupants.
Manufacturer remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will either replace the stems or protect them against corrosion, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on July 28, 2016. A second notice was mailed to owners on December 16, 2016. Parts are available. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-713.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 222/SEAT TRACK
NHTSA #00V380000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported November 17, 2000 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 37 vehicles
Owners notified March 9, 2001 · Vehicles built November 1, 1999 – March 14, 2000 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH KINEDYNE L SERIES BUTTON TRACK SEATING, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 222, ""SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." INCORRECT FASTENERS WERE USED TO SECURE THE BUTTON TRACK TO THE BUS FLOOR.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT FASTENERS WITH THE CORRECT ATTACHMENT HARDWARE.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 9, 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 1-336-881-7219.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
THOMAS BUILT/DRIVER SEAT BRACKET
NHTSA #00V362000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported November 3, 2000 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Potentially affected: 6,500 vehicles
Owners notified February 9, 2001 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – September 30, 2000 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING'S SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING THE GAS SPRING SHOCK TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER OF THE SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.
Safety consequence
IF THE BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED AFTER DEFORMING, AND IS ALLOWED TO BREAK, ITS BREAKING WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 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 ATALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Thomas Vista model years
Check your 1999 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.
Check a Thomas VIN