Steering: hydraulic power assist system (Thomas)
Vehicle recall 94V-143. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Aug 1, 1994.
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 THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Aug 1, 1994. 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 DRIVER REACTS TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST BY OVERSTEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
A SUDDEN HYDRAULIC PRESSURE LOSS DURING HARD TURNS RESULTS IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST.
THE PRESSURE LOSS OCCURS WHEN THE HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN ENGINE COOLING FAN TURNS OFF IN THE TURN.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: hydraulic power assist system.
What should you do?
THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVES WILL BE REPLACED WITH VALVES OF A NEW DESIGN. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO DISCONNECT THE FAN CUTOFF SWITCH SO THAT HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN FANS WILL RUN FULL TIME, ELIMINATING THE PRESSURE SPIKE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM; FAN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: REAR ENGINE TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116, CUMMINS 6C 300 HP, OR HERCULES CNG 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 FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT THOMAS BUILT 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 1,150 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas SAF-T-Linerand 1992, 1993 and 1994, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Transit Linerand 1992, 1993 and 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 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.