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Vehicle recall 96V021000 · January 29, 1996

1988-1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner

Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary
Contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam can result in damage to the brake chamber clamp band.
Consequence
If the damage to the clamp band resulted in band breakage, the chamber could come apart resulting in loss of the service brakes. The emergency brakes would automatically apply.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake chamber for sign of contact. If contact is indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possiblity of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.
Notes
This recall campaign has been superseded by campaign 97V030000.SYSTEM: brakes; air; drum and shoe systems; chamber; brake. Vehicle description: school and transit buses, 66-90 passenger, type "d", rear engine equipped with 10" brakes and "neway" air suspension. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy 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 1-800-424-9393.1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
96V021000
Reported to NHTSA
January 29, 1996
Filed by
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Owner notification
April 8, 1996
Vehicles potentially affected
730
Initiated by
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components
Service brakes, air › Drum › Chamber
Recall 96V021000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

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.