Does the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner have any recalls?

10 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: structure, seats, electrical system, service brakes, air. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Thomas dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner?

0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner recalls

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

10 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

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.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

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.

1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner recalls, newest first

August 12, 2004NHTSA 04V3980002,125 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: Certain 1995 and 1996 my thomas built school buses built between January 1, 1995, and February 29, 1996, which are predominately operated on unimproved roads may have developed cracks in the bus body framing structure members (rafters) near the horizontal window header welds and at the side emergency exit doors.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, passengers could be seriously injured.
Remedy: Thomas built will notify its customers and provide a free remedy. The recall began August 5, 2005. Owners who do not receive a free remedy within a reasonable amount of time should contact thomas built customer support office at 336-889-4871.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 1, 1997NHTSA 97V1920002,391 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: Vehicle description: school buses. The flip seats installed on these buses do not meet the rearward push requirements of FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection."
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. If an owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 22, 1997NHTSA 97V1330008,107 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables

Summary: Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with in-line six engine,"s" type frame rails and side mounted battery box. The battery cable routing allows the positive cable to chafe resulting in a possible short circuit of the cable.
Consequence: If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.
Remedy: Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 3, 1997NHTSA 97V030000695 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Drum › Chamber

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 signs of contact. If contact is indicated, the brake cam shaft and chamber support bracket will be replaced, eliminating the possibility of contact between the brake chamber and the suspension beam.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 18, 1997NHTSA 97V02000055 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air

Summary: These buses with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) of 36,200, do not meet the brake size and power requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 121, "air brake systems," for vehicles of that GVWR.
Consequence: These buses do not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 121.
Remedy: Thomas built will provide the owners with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. The repair will consist of changing the original rear slack adjusters and front brake chambers and increasing the air reservoir volume.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 12, 1997NHTSA 97V0180001,800 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Wiring

Summary: The nut that secures the vehicle's main power supply can loosen causing loss of contact.
Consequence: This condition can result in a loss of vehicle power increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Thomas built will ship repair parts and a detailed repair procedure to the bus owners. The repair will consist of removing the original nut, located at the electrical panel, that secures the vehicle's main power supply, and replacing it with a flat washer and locking nut.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 13, 1997NHTSA 96V17800838 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with isringhausen seats in the driver position. Two welds located on the back rest adjustment side of the seat frame did not meet the manufacturer's specifications.
Consequence: If these welds were not to specification, back rest loads could cause the welds to fail. The back rest would disengage from the seat frame allowing loss of support to the driver's torso and possibly causing loss of control of the vehicle.
Remedy: Isringhausen is conducting the owner notification and remedy campaign for this recall. Dealers will inspect these seats and replace the seat frame assembly.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 5, 1996NHTSA 96V1640002,117 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught on the fateners that secure the handrail support to the handrail.
Consequence: If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
Remedy: The existing 1" bolts that secure the handrail support will be replaced with 1/2" bolts.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 23, 1996NHTSA 96V139000120,371 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught in the area between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket.
Consequence: If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
Remedy: A molded cover will be installed between the manually operated outward opening entrance door and the door control rod attaching bracket which will eliminate the opening that could allow an item of a child's clothing to become snagged.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 29, 1996NHTSA 96V021000730 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Drum › Chamber

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Thomas SAF-T-Liner years

Other 1996 Thomas models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner have any recalls?: 10 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: structure, seats, electrical system, service brakes, air. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Thomas dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Thomas SAF-T-Liner?: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.