- The problem
- The door hinges were not shielded and can snag exiting children's clothing or accessories.
- The risk
- When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and 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
- Dealers will install hinge pads to prevent the snagging of passenger's clothing.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Thomas School Bus Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1990 Thomas School Bus have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 12 recalls, the latest in May 1996 for the body.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical School Bus year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1990 Thomas School Bus recalls 12
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
- Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
- The risk
- When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and 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 inserious injury or death.
- The fix
- Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught.
- The problem
- Passengers clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
- The risk
- When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in thehandrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, theindividual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in seriousinjury or death.
- The fix
- Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from becoming caught.
- The problem
- The current production stationary window assemblies allow the glass to disengage from the rubber and/or frame.
- The risk
- The windows do not comply with fmvss 217, "bus windowretention and release."
- The fix
- Install two retaining clips at each non-complying window.
- The problem
- The center actuator that releases two catches via two pull rods can become non-functional from poor or improper maintenance, lack of lubrication, corrosion, or a combination all three causes.
- The risk
- When the center actuator is non-functional, the windowis very difficult to open, and would not function as an emergency exit in caseof a vehicular accident.
- The fix
- Remove the old center actuator and install an improved actuator.
- The problem
- Release handle for rear push out window is not located in area required by s5.2.3.1(B) of fmvss 217.
- The risk
- Buses would not comply with standards; in an emergency,exit from the push-out window could be hampered.
- The fix
- Install new interior handle assembly to meet specifications.
- The problem
- The fuel shut-off solenoid in the cummins 6c engine may be faulty, causing spontaneous interruption of fuel flow to the engine during normal operation. This results in loss of power to driving wheels, power steering, and other power assisted operating systems.
- The risk
- Loss of engine power and secondary loss of power assistedsystems reduces steering control, braking ability, visual systems and otherpower assisted operating systems, resulting in increased risk of vehicleaccident.
- The fix
- Where necessary, replace the solenoid spring, adjust solenoid, replace wires, and verify maximum power requirements to the solenoid.
- The problem
- The steering linkage (drag link) between the steering gear pitman arm and the steering arm on the axle may have been improperly fastened.
- The risk
- The drag link could become disconnected at either endwhich results in loss of steering control and the potential for an accident.
- The fix
- Install correct pins and properly tighten the castellated nuts.
- The problem
- Driver's safety belt is too short to meet length requirements of fmvss 209.
- The risk
- Short safety belts would discourage driver from usingthem. Seat occupant not using safety belt would not have adequate protection incase of a sudden stop or accident.
- The fix
- Replace the belt assembly with a compliant version.
- The problem
- The seat do not comply with energy absorption requirements of fmvss 222.
- The risk
- The rear facing seats had only one third of the requiredenergy absorption; a passenger using this seat could be injured in a sudden stopor an accident.
- The fix
- Install new foldup seats with appropriate fasteners.
- The problem
- The combination of type 2 elr seat belt and suspension type driver's seat causes safety belt cinching which becomes severe enough to distract or hinder driver from normal operation of bus.
- The risk
- Distraction of driver could result in an accident.
- The fix
- Install seat belt that incorporates some anti-cinching features and a new set of tether straps for suspension seat.
- The problem
- Upper anchorage of type 2 safety belt installed at the driver's seating position is not within the specified range as required by fmvss 210.
- The risk
- Belts may be uncomfortable and obstruct vision to the left; buses would not comply with standard.
- The fix
- Install reinforcing channel assuring that belts are within specified range.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1990 Thomas School Bus 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 School Bus: every year compared
All School Bus yearsQuestions about the 1990 Thomas School Bus
Does the 1990 Thomas School Bus have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 1990 Thomas School Bus: body (May 1996); body (March 1996); body (March 1993); glass, side / rear (January 1993) 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 1990 Thomas School Bus had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1990 Thomas School Bus a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Thomas School Bus 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 School Bus years have the most complaints?
1998 (5), 1999 (3), 2009 (3). See every Thomas School Bus year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Thomas School Bus 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