Vehicle recall 81V043000 · April 1, 1981
1979-1981 Thomas Thomas
Certain "u" shaped bolts used to attach the axles to the springs, when installed and tightened to specifications, may be stretched beyond the yield point of the material and…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Certain "u" shaped bolts used to attach the axles to the springs, when installed and tightened to specifications, may be stretched beyond the yield point of the material and could break.
- Remedy
- All units will have the "u" bolts replaced without charge. This includes nuts and lockwashers.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: school buses.system: suspension; "u" bolts.consequences of defect: failure of the "u" bolts can lead to a misplaced axle,which may adversely affect vehicle handling and can result in an accident.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 81V043000
- Reported to NHTSA
- April 1, 1981
- Filed by
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Owner notification
- March 25, 1981
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 280
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › U-bolt, leaf spring to axle
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Thomas Thomas (1979-1981): 1981, 1980, 1979
Has your Thomas been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Thomas dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.