The problem
Vehicle description: school and transit buses. The mounting bolt for the upper front shock absorber bracket can loosen in service due to the omission of a frame reinforcement from the upper shock absorber mount. The loosened bolt could then work in the frame rail-mounting hole, which could result in hairline cracking of the frame rail in the shock absorber mounting area and possible fracture of the shock absorber mounting eye as well.
The risk
Disengagement of the shock(s) could result in a crash.
The fix
Owners will be provided with repair parts and detailed repair procedures.
Contacts
Owner notification began february 11, 2000. 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 1-336-841-5992. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Thomas dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 99V075000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.