Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator (Thomas)
Vehicle recall 94V-120. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Jun 27, 1994.
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The short answer
NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Jun 27, 1994. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 24, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STARTING A BUS IN A DRIVE GEAR CAN RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
A CABLE INSTALLED TO TEMPORARILY BYPASS THE NEUTRAL SWITCH TO ENABLE THE ENGINE TO BE STARTED WAS NOT REMOVED AT DELIVERY.
THE CABLE ALLOWS THE BUS TO BE STARTED WHILE IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE DRIVE GEAR.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TEMPORARY CABLE AND INSTALL A NEW RELAY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ALTERNATOR; REGULATOR; STARTER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A NAVISTAR CHASSIS WITHT444E ENGINES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THOMAS BUILT SERVICE CENTER AT 1-910-889-4871. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 285 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas Busand 1994, before the model years listed here
- Thomas School Busand 1994, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 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 24, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 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 24, 2026.