Vehicle speed control: springs (Thomas)
Vehicle recall 86V-079. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Jun 16, 1986.
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The short answer
NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Jun 16, 1986. 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.
TWO THROTTLE RETURN SPRING DEFECTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL.
(1) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES MAY HAVE A THROTTLE RETURN SPRING THAT BREAKS AND PREVENTS THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION WHEN THE DRIVER’S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL; (2) BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS VT-225 ENGINES MAY HAVE THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE SLAVE CYLINDER INSTEAD OF THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP LEVER.
IF FAILURE OCCURS IN THE ACCELERATION CONTROL SYSTEM, THE ENGINE MAY ACCELERATE TO ITS MAXIMUM GOVERNED RPM.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN EITHER CASE, THROTTLE CONTROL WILL BE LOST WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Vehicle speed control: springs.
What should you do?
A REPAIR KIT CONSISTING OF NEW SPRING, MOUNTING BRACKET AND PROPER REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE SHIPPED TO EACH OWNER AT NO CHARGE AND THE OWNER MAY MAKE HIS OWN REPAIRS, OR HAVE A THOMAS DISTRIBUTOR OR A REPUTABLE LOCAL SHOP MAKE THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: THROTTLE LEVER RETURN SPRING. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH A GVWR GREATER THAN 10,000 POUNDS.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 942 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas Transit Linerand 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
- Thomas SAF-T-Linerand 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, 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.