1997 Thomas ER Model

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 2 times.

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar97V177000

Filed Oct 20, 1997953 vehiclesThomas Built Buses, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump97V154000

Filed Sep 12, 1997200 vehiclesThomas Built Buses, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. A BURR ON THE SPOOL BORE OF THE STEERING GEAR PUMPS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF OIL FLOW.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND/OR OVERHEATING THE ENGINE.

Remedy. THOMAS BUILT IS REQUESTING OWNERS TO INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE STEERING GEAR PUMP. IF THE PUMP IS STAMPED WITH A DATE CODE PRIOR TO 6/1/97 AND DOES NOT HAVE AN "L" OR AN "RL" STAMPED ON THE IDENTIFICATION TAG, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. OWNERS WILL BE SHIPPED A REPLACEMENT PUMP AND DETAILED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT CAN DO THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR ON THESE BUSES.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Assessment
2001	0	1	Routine
2000	0	2	Routine
1997 — this page	0	2	Routine
1996	1	0	Routine

Compare every ER Model year →

Other Thomas models

All Thomas models →

School Bus 21 Thomas 10 Mvp EF 7 Bus 7 Saf-T-Liner 5 FS-65 3 C2 3

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 20, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.