Hearth Record

Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle (Thomas)

Vehicle recall 81V-043. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Apr 1, 1981.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Apr 1, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 23, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.

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.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle.

What should you do?

ALL UNITS WILL HAVE THE “U” BOLTS REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. THIS INCLUDES NUTS AND LOCKWASHERS.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; “U” BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAILURE OF THE “U” BOLTS CAN LEAD TO A MISPLACED AXLE,WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 280 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Thomas Thomasand 1979, 1980 and 1981, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 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.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

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 23, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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