Hearth Record

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch (Thomas)

Vehicle recall 94V-214. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Nov 1, 1994.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Nov 1, 1994. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

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

What’s wrong with it?

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: VEHICLES OPERATED WHILE EMERGENCY EXITS ARE LOCKED RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PASSENGER ENTRAPMENT WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

THE HOLE IN THE BOLT PORTION OF THE VANDALOCK WAS DRILLED IN AN INCORRECT LOCATION, ALLOWING THE PIN TO BE INSERTED WITH THE BOLT IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE BYPASSING THE STARTER INTERLOCK.

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM OPERATING WHILE THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR IS LOCKED.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, “BUS WINDOW RELEASE AND RETENTION.”

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL RIVET A METAL SHIELD TO THE VANDALOCK COVER TO PREVENT PIN INSERTION IN THE EVENT THAT THE PIN HOLE HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY LOCATED.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; DOOR ASSEMBLY; LATCHES AND LOCKS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH “VANDALOCK” SYSTEMS AT THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS.NOTE: IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE NONCOMPLIANCE, 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 1,458 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Thomas School Busand 1994, 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 20, 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 20, 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.

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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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