Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments (Thomas Built Buses and Thomas)
Vehicle recall 08V-087. NHTSA received DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA’s report on Feb 26, 2008.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA’s report on Feb 26, 2008. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 25, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE’S OCCUPANTS.
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008.
(ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.
PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE.
CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE.
HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments.
What should you do?
DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-525.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 243,435 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas Built Buses FS-65and 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-Liner C2and 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas ERand 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses HDXand 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses HDX EFand 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, before the model years listed here
- Thomas MVP EFand 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas MVP ERand 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses Minotourand 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2008, before the model years listed here
- Thomas ER Transitand 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 25, 2026.