Vehicle recall 96V054000 · March 26, 1996
1977-1992 Thomas School Bus
Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
- Consequence
- When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion,the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result inserious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught.
- Notes
- System: equipment; handrails at bus entry ways.vehicle description: school buses equipped with a forward-mount handrail or a rearward-mount handrail. 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.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 96V054000
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 26, 1996
- Filed by
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Owner notification
- June 5, 1996
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 4,500
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Structure › Body
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.