- The problem
- On certain school or transit buses with passenger seat belts with retractors, the cover halves for the retractable portion of the belt can separate completely and release the seat belt connector. If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury. The seat belt supplier, amsafe, will provide a snap on "over-cover" to owners to prevent the seat belt cover from separating.
- The risk
- If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained resulting in an injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will provide a plastic outer cover that snaps over the existing cover on units in the field and will replace broken seat belts free of charge. 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 336-841-5924 or amsafe at 574-266-8330.
Vehicle safety record
2001 Thomas Conventional Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2001 Thomas Conventional with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in October 2002 for the seat belts. For comparison, the 2000 has 0 and the 2002 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Conventional year, for its age
#442 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 Thomas Conventional problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 Thomas Conventional recalls 4
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
- Certain buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "Air brake systems." These buses do not have a check valve between the wet tank and the secondary tank.
- The risk
- The absence of a check valve could cause increased stopping distances.
- The fix
- Dealers will add a check valve. The units affected are only in the state of washington. Owner notification began may 10, 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 336-889-4871.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with syntec seats fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection." Some seats (1) fail to meet the required four inch clearance during the test procedure, while still meeting the post test condition; (2) fail to meet the required frontal pre-load when testing under certain conditions; or (3) while still meeting the required force/defection, experience weld breakage.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the seat frame and the seat back cushion on these vehicles. Owner notification began november 13, 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 336-889-4871.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: school buses. The main body power supply wire from the chassis can chafe on the chassis (cowl) sheet metal panel, causing arcing and could result in a fire.
- The risk
- If the bus catches on fire, possible injury or death to the vehicle occupants can occur.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with inspection and remedy procedures to be used in correcting this condition. Owner notification began september 14, 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 336-889-4871.
What owners say
Be the first Conventional owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
1 complaints about the 2001 Thomas Conventional
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Frame rail and crossmember breakage in rear axle area on freightliner/thomas built school buses. *Jb
Thomas Conventional: every year compared
All Conventional years2001 Thomas Conventional vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Thomas Conventional | 1 | 4 | F | |
| 2001 Thomas Bus | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2001 Thomas MVP ER | 1 | 12 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Thomas Saf-T-Liner | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Thomas CL100 | 1 | 1 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 Thomas Conventional
Does the 2001 Thomas Conventional have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Thomas Conventional: seat belts (October 2002); check valve (February 2002); seats (November 2001); wiring (June 2001). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Thomas Conventional?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2001 Thomas Conventional had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 30, 2007 and the latest on July 30, 2007. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 Thomas Conventional a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 24 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 2001 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