Vehicle recall 97V177000 · October 20, 1997
Thomas ER Model, MVP and 1 more model
Vehicle description: school and transit buses.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Notes
- 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.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V177000
- Reported to NHTSA
- October 20, 1997
- Filed by
- THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- Owner notification
- October 17, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 953
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Thomas ER Model (1997): 1997
- Thomas MVP (1997): 1997
- Thomas SAF-T-Liner (1997): 1997
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.