- The problem
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses. If debris becomes trapped between the plastic cup, which seals the opening where the steering column comes through the bus floor and the steering knuckle, the steering linkage can bind.
- The risk
- Binding of the steering linkage could cause the driver to over steer the vehicle, possibly resulting in loss of control of the vehicle or a crash.
- The fix
- Owners are requested to remove the plastic seal which will leave an opening between the vehicle floor and the steering column. Thomas built is in the process of designing a proper seal for that area, and this seal will be sent to owners for installation.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Thomas ER Model Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Thomas ER Model have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 1997 for the steering wheel / handle bar.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical ER Model year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Thomas ER Model recalls 2
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: transit buses. A burr on the spool bore of the steering gear pumps can result in the loss of oil flow.
- The risk
- This condition can cause loss of power steering assist and/or overheating the engine.
- The fix
- Thomas built is requesting owners to inspect the date code on the steering gear pump. If the pump is stamped with a date code prior to 6/1/97 and does not have an "l" or an "rl" stamped on the identification tag, the owner will be instructed to replace the pump. Owners will be shipped a replacement pump and detailed repair instructions. If the owner so desires, thomas built can do the inspection and repair on these buses.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Thomas ER Model 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 ER Model: every year compared
All ER Model years1997 Thomas ER Model vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Thomas ER Model | 0 | 2 | D | |
| 1997 Thomas MVP EF | 2 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Thomas School Bus | 1 | 0 | A | 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 1997 Thomas ER Model
Does the 1997 Thomas ER Model have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Thomas ER Model: steering wheel / handle bar (October 1997); pump (September 1997). 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 1997 Thomas ER Model had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Thomas ER Model a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Thomas ER Model 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.
What should I do if my 1997 Thomas ER Model 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