Hearth Record

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar (Thomas)

Vehicle recall 97V-177. NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Oct 20, 1997.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.’s report on Oct 20, 1997. 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?

BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES.

IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: steering wheel/handle bar.

What should you do?

OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 17, 1997.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR SEAL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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 953 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Thomas SAF-T-Linerand 1997, before the model years listed here
  • Thomas ER Modeland 1997, before the model years listed here
  • Thomas MVPand 1997, 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 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.
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 24, 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.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

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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