{"@context":{"@vocab":"https://schema.org/"},"@type":"ItemList","@id":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/api/v1/nhtsa/complaints/check?make=THOMAS","name":"THOMAS","_source":{"data_provider":"AI Analytics","data_provider_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org","license":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/","primary_source":"https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/","generated_at":"2026-08-19T07:19:03.091Z"},"summary":{"total_complaints":25,"deaths":1,"injured":16,"fires":18},"top_components":[{"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","n":9},{"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS","n":4},{"component_desc":"VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM","n":1},{"component_desc":"UNKNOWN OR OTHER","n":1},{"component_desc":"STRUCTURE:BODY","n":1},{"component_desc":"STEERING:COLUMN","n":1},{"component_desc":"SERVICE BRAKES","n":1},{"component_desc":"POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT","n":1},{"component_desc":"POWER TRAIN","n":1},{"component_desc":"LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH","n":1}],"recent_complaints":[{"cmplid":"1833692","date_received":"2022-08-16","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"SAF-T-LINER HDX","model_year":2019,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"It appears the battery cables were rubbing the transmission cooler lines and after an extended period caused a thermal event.  it burned wiring harnesses, the DEF pump and lines and a good portion of battery cable.  Had there been children on the bus at the time of the thermal event it could have been catastrophic.  This vehicle has been inspected by the Manufacturer and they are covering repairs. There has been an interim/info only recall issued.  FL928-A.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/1833692"},{"cmplid":"1833693","date_received":"2022-08-16","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"SAF-T-LINER HDX","model_year":2019,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"POWER TRAIN","description":"It appears the battery cables were rubbing the transmission cooler lines and after an extended period caused a thermal event.  it burned wiring harnesses, the DEF pump and lines and a good portion of battery cable.  Had there been children on the bus at the time of the thermal event it could have been catastrophic.  This vehicle has been inspected by the Manufacturer and they are covering repairs. There has been an interim/info only recall issued.  FL928-A.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/1833693"},{"cmplid":"1550740","date_received":"2019-03-21","make":"THOMAS","model":"SCHOOL BUS","model_year":2010,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":0,"crash":1,"component_desc":"SERVICE BRAKES","description":"I WAS DRIVING THOMAS REAR ENGINE HDX BUS WITH 38 PASSENGERS ON 3/19/20. MY LEFT FOOT ,STEEL TOE BOOT,WAS POSITIONED IN FRONT OF AND POSSIBLY UNDER BRAKE PEDAL AS I MOVED TO BE COMFORTABLE WHILE DRIVING.  I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT USING ENGINE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN ON A 50MPH HWY  NO INJURIES   WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY FOOT BRAKE I COULDN'T FIND IT. ULTIMATELY REAR ENDED A 2007 GMC YUKON    PLEASE SEE RECREATED PICTURE .  I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN TO OTHERS IN MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT.  THOMAS HAS NOW CHANGED OPERATORS COMPARTMENT BUT THERE WERE ABOUT FIVE YEARS OF THIS BRAKE PEDAL HAZARD   MY VIDEO MUST BE TOO LARGE TO SEND","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/1550740"},{"cmplid":"1460683","date_received":"2018-04-10","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"SAF-T-LINER C2","model_year":2018,"deaths":0,"injured":3,"fire":0,"crash":1,"component_desc":"STRUCTURE:BODY","description":"A 2018 THOMAS BUILT TYPE C SCHOOL BUS WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH ON A CITY/URBAN STREET WITH 5 PASSENGERS, PLUS THE OPERATOR ON BOARD. A TREE FELL AND STRUCK THE BUS NEAR, OR ON, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDSHIELD/ROOF AREA. THIS IMPACT CAUSED THE ENTIRE ROOF AREA TO COLLAPSE WITH SEVERE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE BUS.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/1460683"},{"cmplid":"1011751","date_received":"2013-09-23","make":"THOMAS","model":"SCHOOL BUS","model_year":2004,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 THOMAS SCHOOL BUS BODY EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.  A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/1011751"},{"cmplid":"951190","date_received":"2012-11-27","make":"THOMAS","model":"SCHOOL BUS","model_year":2009,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"BUS WAS IN SERVICE AND ON ROUTE WITH STUDENTS ON BOARD. BUS INTERIOR STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND DID AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF STUDENTS. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE A/C 24 VOLT ALT HAD FULL FIELDED AND  CAUSED THE WIRING TO COMPLETELY MELT THE SHEATHING ON THE ALT POWER WIRE. BACKFEED THROUGH THE SYSTEM CAUSED THE CONTROLLER TO BURN UP INSIDE THE BUS. CARRIER HAS TOLD US THEY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE A FIX FOR IT. THIS IS ONE OF AT LEAST 10 WE HAVE HAD HAPPEN. SOMETIME IT BURNS UP THE CONDENSER MOTORS AND THE EVAP MOTORS AS WELL.  *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/951190"},{"cmplid":"856125","date_received":"2011-05-12","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"C2","model_year":2010,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"UNKNOWN OR OTHER","description":"ON THE MORNING OF MAY 12, 2011 NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN EDGECOMBE COUNTY WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY A FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE REAR BULKHEAD AREA OF THE BUS THAT HOUSES A CARRIER AIR CONDITIONER AND ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE BUS WAS ON ITS ROUTE PICKING UP CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL WHEN THE CHILDREN BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE AND NOTIFIED THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE BUS AND EVACUATED THE CHILDREN JUST MOMENTS BEFORE FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE BUS IN THE REAR BULKHEAD AREA. THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL REPORTING TO THE SCENE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRST ON THE BUS WHICH WAS ALREADY HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH FLAMES WHEN HE ARRIVED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE BLAZE HOWEVER THE BUS WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THIS TIME. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE BUS WAS DESTROYED FROM THE FLOOR LEVEL TO THE ROOF AND ONTO THE HOOD COVERING THE ENGINE. THERE WERE 39 CHILDREN ON THE BUS PLUS THE DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE BUS IS CURRENTLY ISOLATED FOR INVESTIGATION.  *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/856125"},{"cmplid":"850978","date_received":"2011-04-11","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"SAF-T-LINER C2","model_year":2006,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"2006 THOMAS/FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT WHILE PARKED. INVESTIGATION FOUND FIRE ORIGIN FROM FLOOR MOUNTED BATTERY CABLES TO THE LEFT OF DRIVER'S SEAT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO NINE SIMILAR BUSES IN THE FLEET FOUND HEAVY CORROSION AT THE BATTERY CABLE ISOLATORS IS OCCURRING WHICH CAN RESULT IN SHORTING AND FIRE.  *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/850978"},{"cmplid":"778330","date_received":"2010-04-01","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"HDX","model_year":2009,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"1.  AFTER DRIVING THE 2009 THOMAS HDX BUS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, DRIVER WAS BRINGING THE BUS TO A STOP, AND BEFORE HE ACTIVATED THE DOORS OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES, HE SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL.  HE REPORTED THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DASH NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, NOT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH AND NOT FROM THE VENT LOCATED ABOVE THE SWITCH PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE OPERATOR'S SEAT.  DRIVER SHUT THE BUS OFF.  APPROX. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE OPERATOR'S WINDOW AND THE OPEN FOLDING DOORS.  FLAMES WERE OBSERVED BURNING ACROSS THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT OF THE BUS.  FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED, ARRIVED IN APPROX. 5-10 MINUTES AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.  2.  BUS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.  3.  INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE INDETERMINATE AS TO SPECIFIC COMPONENT IN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AREA; HOWEVER THOMAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A RECALL.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/778330"},{"cmplid":"763035","date_received":"2010-02-16","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"MVP-EF","model_year":2004,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"FIRE FROM TYCO CIRCUIT BOARD. *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/763035"},{"cmplid":"763061","date_received":"2010-02-16","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"MVP-EF","model_year":2007,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"MELTED TYCO CIRCUIT BOARD AFTER RECALL 07V-544 HAD BEEN COMPLETED. RECALL DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/763061"},{"cmplid":"668634","date_received":"2008-05-06","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"FS-65","model_year":2004,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS","description":"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 THOMAS BUILT FS-65/ FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS.  THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE PANELS AND CABLES LEADING TO THE FUSE PANELS BURNED IN THE VEHICLE.  HE REPLACED THE PANELS ON APPROXIMATELY 30 BUSES.  HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V544000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS), AND STATED THAT THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO THE FUSE PANELS AS WELL.  THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,213 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/668634"},{"cmplid":"654460","date_received":"2008-01-21","make":"THOMAS","model":"FS-65","model_year":2004,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"AFTER START-UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH PANEL. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY MINUTES 10 LATER WHEN THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED; TIME LINE IS THE BEST WE CAN DETERMINE FROM VIDEO FOOTAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATE AND THE BUS WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES. THE BUS WAS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR.  *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/654460"},{"cmplid":"654465","date_received":"2008-01-21","make":"THOMAS","model":"CONVENTIONAL","model_year":2002,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","description":"AFTER PICKING UP A BUS LOAD OF STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL THE BUS DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL ON HIS BUS. DRIVER PULLED HIS BUS INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE BUS STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE SIDE SWITCH PANEL. AFTER THE STUDENTS EXITED THE BUS THE PLASTIC DASH STARTED TO BURN WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. IT APPEARS THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ON THE BODY SOLENOID.  *TR","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/654465"},{"cmplid":"643169","date_received":"2007-10-23","make":"THOMAS","model":"MVP ER","model_year":2001,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE","description":"2001 MVP-ER-140 HS SCHOOL BUS COMPLAINT DUE TO A DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES THAT SCHOOL BUS MODEL LISTED ABOVE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  *KB  AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED WHEN PRESSURIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID SPRAYED FROM THE TRANSMISSION THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  THE TRANSMISSION VENT TUBE HAD BEEN CRUSHED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSSOVER EXHAUST PIPE, WHICH WAS NORMALLY POSITIONED TWO INCHES ABOVE THE VENT. OVER TIME, THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE CROSSOVER PIPE BECAME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE PIPE TO FALL DOWN AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TRANSMISSION VENT. ONCE THE VENT WAS CLOSED, PRESSURE BUILT UP IN THE TRANSMISSION, AND ITS FLUID WAS EXPELLED FROM THE DIPSTICK TUBE.  THE INVESTIGATOR'S FINDINGS CONCLUDED THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF THE NEGLIGENT DESIGN OF THE CROSSOVER EXHAUST PIPE, SPECIFICALLY THE NUMBER, LOCATION AND OR TYPE OF BRACKETS USED TO HOLD THE PIPE IN PLACE.  GIVEN THE RISK PRESENTED BY CLOSURE OF THE TRANSMISSION VENT, IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT THE PIPE BE INSTALLED SO THAT ITS POSITION RELATIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION VENT WOULD NOT SHIFT OVER TIME. *JB","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/643169"},{"cmplid":"614538","date_received":"2007-02-26","make":"THOMAS","model":"SAF-T-LINER ER","model_year":2005,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS","description":"PRINTED CIRCUIT PANEL LOCATED UNDER SIDE PANEL OF BUS OVERHEATED AND HAD A SMALL FIRE. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 06V-136 BUT DOES COVER THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER MORE VEHICLES, WE HAVE HAD A 50% FAILURE RATE OF THIS PARTICULAR COMPONENT.  *NM","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/614538"},{"cmplid":"614560","date_received":"2007-02-26","make":"THOMAS","model":"SAF-T-LINER ER","model_year":2005,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":1,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS","description":"PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD OVERHEATS AND CATCHES FIRE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BEFORE AND WE HAVE HAD A 50% FAILURE RATE ON THIS MODEL BUS. THIS PART IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 06V-136 BUT DOES NOT COVER THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THIS BUS.   *NM","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/614560"},{"cmplid":"607568","date_received":"2006-12-27","make":"THOMAS BUILT BUSES","model":"FS-65","model_year":2006,"deaths":0,"injured":0,"fire":0,"crash":1,"component_desc":"STEERING:COLUMN","description":"UPPER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT NOT TIGHTENED/INSTALLED RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATING FROM MAIN STEERING SHAFT AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.NEW PINCH BOLT INSTALLED AND TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SUPPLIED TORQUE VALUES. SUPERFICIAL DAMGE TO SCHOOL BUS BODY REPAIRED WITH REPLACEMENT PARTS.","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/607568"},{"cmplid":"562572","date_received":"2005-11-15","make":"THOMAS","model":"BUS","model_year":2000,"deaths":1,"injured":2,"fire":0,"crash":1,"component_desc":"LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH","description":"DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 8/9/05 INVOLVING AN SUV AND A THOMAS BUILT TYPE C WHEEL CHAIR BUS. THE DRIVER OF THE SUV CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND HIT THE BUS HEAD ON. THE ESTIMATED SPEED OF THE SUV WAS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT THE SERVICE DOOR OPENED AND ONE OF THE BUS OCCUPANTS WAS EJECTED. TWO PERSONS IN THE BUS WERE INJURED AND THE DRIVER OF THE SUV WAS KILLED. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE DOOR WAS LATCHED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE LATCH. THE BUS MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED TO INSPECT THE SERVICE DOOR OF THE BUS. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. *JB  UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/562572"},{"cmplid":"395608","date_received":"2004-09-28","make":"THOMAS","model":"SCHOOL BUS","model_year":1999,"deaths":0,"injured":8,"fire":0,"crash":0,"component_desc":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM","description":"THE SCHOOL BUS LEAKED ANTIFREEZE AND FUMES SEEPED OUT INTO THE SCHOOL BUS. *JB   MANUFACTURES DEFECT, ANTIFREEZE VAPORS INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.  PUMP TO POWERFUL OMITS ANTIFREEZE VAPORS.  THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DRIVERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE GETTING PERMINENT LUNG DAMAGE FROM THE FUMES.   THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN SICK EVER SINCE THE BUS WAS ASSIGNED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HEATER PUMP IS TO LARGE IN THE BUSES HOSES HELD ON WITH TINY CLAMS.  THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE EMPLOYER REFUSED TO GIVE HER THE VIN NUMBER.  *TC","canonical_url":"https://api.ai-analytics.org/vehicle-complaint/395608"}]}