Structure (Thomas)
Vehicle recall 85V-143. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Nov 4, 1985.
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The short answer
NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Nov 4, 1985. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 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.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure.
What should you do?
INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PLATES TO PREVENT CRACKING OF FLOOR CHANNEL.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: STRUCTURE/REINFORCEMENT PLATES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION. BUSES PRODUCED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRIC TRACTION SANDERS LOCATED AHEAD OF THE REAR WHEELS.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 96 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas Thomasand 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 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 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 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 26, 2026.