1994 Thomas Saf-T-Liner
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Thomas › Saf-T-Liner › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
13 recalls name the 1994 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. Newest first.
Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with in-line six engine,"s" type frame rails and side mounted battery box. the battery cable routing allows the positive cable to chafe resulting in a possible short circuit of the cable.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.
Remedy
Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.
Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the damage to the clamp band resulted in band breakage, the chamber could come apart resulting in loss of the service brakes. the emergency brakes would automatically apply.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake chamber for signs of contact. if contact IS indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possibility of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.
The nut that secures the vehicle's main power supply can loosen causing loss of contact.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can result in a loss of vehicle power increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Thomas built will ship repair parts and a detailed repair procedure to the bus owners. the repair will consist of removing the original nut, located at the electrical panel, that secures the vehicle's main power supply, and replacing it with a flat washer and locking nut.
An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught on the fateners that secure the handrail support to the handrail.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Remedy
The existing 1" bolts that secure the handrail support will be replaced with 1/2" bolts.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the damage to the clamp band resulted in band breakage, the chamber could come apart resulting in loss of the service brakes. The emergency brakes would automatically apply.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake chamber for sign of contact. If contact IS indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possiblity of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.
Some temperature sensitive triggers were not x-rayed. These triggers could contain internal voids that would make the triggers susceptible to advanced creep causing false activation and venting of the CNG.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Venting of the CNG could result in a fire.
Remedy
Thomas built will replace the type III pressure relief valve with the newer design "generation 2.5" pressure relief device.
The automatic transmission will not shift into low gear due to a misalignment in the prndl indicator.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Prndl misalignment can cause the driver to be unawareof the gear position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will correct the misalignment of the automatic transmission.
The roof hatches on these buses do not meet the exterior handle requirements of fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: in the event of an emergency, rescue personnel may not be able to open the roof hatches from the outside.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the existing roof hatch lid and replace it with a lid equipped with an exterior handle.
The air conditioning hose covers do not meet the head impact requirements of fmvss no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: this condition can cause personal injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reroute the cover from the head impact zone and also replace the metal cover with a plastic cover.
The metal housing of the safety belt retractors on automatic locking retractor/emergency locking retractor safety belts can become deformed preventing extension and/or retraction of the belt.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Passengers would be unable to extend or retract their safety belts and would be at a risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will install a hardened washer which will decrease the possibility of deformation of the safety belt retractor. Damaged retractors will be replaced.
The air compressor that drives the power steering pump can fail, resulting in loss of power steering assist.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of power steering assist can cause loss of steering control resulting in an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the air compressor with a new, high capacity air compressor.
A sudden hydraulic pressure loss during hard turns results in a momentary loss of power steering assist. The pressure loss occurs when the hydraulically driven engine cooling fan turns off in the turn.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The driver reacts to the loss of power steering assist by oversteering, which could result in a vehicle accident.
Remedy
The hydraulic control valves will be replaced with valves of a new design. Until such time as parts are available, owners will be instructed to disconnect the fan cutoff switch so that hydraulically driven fans will run full time, eliminating the pressure spike.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Prndl misalignment
There is no summary currently available
- Brake treadle valve corrodes
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 39796New safety start switch bracket.
Every Thomas Saf-T-Liner model year
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