- The problem
- Movable part of seat is not strong enough to support the seat belt.
- The risk
- SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER.
- The fix
- INSTALL A TETHER STRAP.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Thomas Thomas Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Thomas Thomas have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in November 1988 for the front.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Thomas year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Thomas Thomas recalls 6
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
- Luggage rack above the seats protrudes into the upper limit of the head impact zone.
- The risk
- BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.
- The fix
- REPOSITION LUGGAGE RACK.
- The problem
- Opening the roof hatch past 90 degrees can disengage the hinge pin retainer ring allowing the hinge pins to work out.
- The risk
- Roof hatch could separate from the bus and injureindividuals in the vicinity.
- The fix
- Install two hinge pins to prevent roof hatch separation.
- The problem
- Sanders were installed without reinforcement plates at point where mounting angle brackets are attached to the bus body floor channel. Floor channel may crack, possibly allowing the sander to become detached from the bus body floor channel. Consequence of defect: if sander becomes detached it will pose a safety hazard to other vehicle on the highway.
- The fix
- Install reinforcement plates to prevent cracking of floor channel.
- The problem
- The turn signal mechanism in the steering column may break; the broken piece may become jammed in the steering column. While using the turn signal and turning in either direction, the operator may experience either increased steering effort in the turn, or binding in the steering wheel when the wheel is returned to a straight position.
- The fix
- A replacement switch will be made available to owners; owner has the option to make the repair himself or have it done by a dealer. There will be no charge to the owner for the switch or the repair.
- The problem
- Certain "u" shaped bolts used to attach the axles to the springs, when installed and tightened to specifications, may be stretched beyond the yield point of the material and could break.
- The fix
- All units will have the "u" bolts replaced without charge. This includes nuts and lockwashers.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Thomas Thomas 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 Thomas: every year compared
All Thomas yearsQuestions about the 1981 Thomas Thomas
Does the 1981 Thomas Thomas have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1981 Thomas Thomas: front (November 1988); structure (August 1988); body (July 1987); structure (November 1985) 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 1981 Thomas Thomas had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Thomas Thomas a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 31 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Thomas Thomas 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 Thomas years have the most complaints?
1991 (6), 1999 (2), 1984 (1). See every Thomas Thomas year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Thomas Thomas 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