- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with a storage compartment overhead to the left of the driver fail to meet fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection."
- The risk
- Contact with this storage compartment does not meet the impact zone requirements of the standard.
- The fix
- Dealers will add padding to the sides of the storage compartment. Owner notification began february 8, 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 1-336-889-4871.
Vehicle safety record
1994 Thomas Conventional Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1994 Thomas Conventional have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in November 2000 for the unknown or other.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Conventional year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1994 Thomas Conventional recalls 9
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: school buses equipped with outward opening service doors. The possibility exists for 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.
- The risk
- If an item worn by a child were to catch in the opening, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, it could result in injury or death to the child.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the forward door post to verify that the opening is completely eliminated, and if necessary, will install sealant in any remaining portion of the opening.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- The roof hatches on these buses do not meet the exterior handle requirements of fmvss no. 217, "Bus window retention and release."
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove the existing roof hatch lid and replace it with a lid equipped with an exterior handle.
- The problem
- The air conditioning hose covers do not meet the head impact requirements of fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection."
- The risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: this condition can cause personal injury in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will reroute the cover from the head impact zone and also replace the metal cover with a plastic cover.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a hardened washer which will decrease the possibility of deformation of the safety belt retractor. Damaged retractors will be replaced.
- The problem
- Retroflective markings on required emergency exits do not meet the location requirements of fmvss no. 217, "Bus window retention and release."
- The risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: if the retroflective markings are not properly located at emergency exits, occupants could not easily identify such exits in an emergency or accident.
- The fix
- Dealers will install additional reflective tape around each emergency door's outside perimeter.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1994 Thomas Conventional yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Thomas Conventional: every year compared
All Conventional yearsQuestions about the 1994 Thomas Conventional
Does the 1994 Thomas Conventional have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 1994 Thomas Conventional: unknown or other (November 2000); exterior (December 1998); body (March 1997); body (July 1996) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1994 Thomas Conventional had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1994 Thomas Conventional a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 9 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Thomas Conventional year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Thomas Conventional years have the most complaints?
2001 (1), 2002 (1). See every Thomas Conventional year compared.
What should I do if my 1994 Thomas Conventional has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data