Safety Recall NHTSA · 81V146000 Reported December 8, 1981

Suspension:i-beam:solid:front leaf spring assembly

Thomas Built Buses, Inc. · Suspension · 388 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
81V146000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Component
Suspension
Vehicles Affected
388
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
December 8, 1981

Defect Summary

An insufficient weld may exist in the reinforcing gusset plate on front, right and/or left spring hanger, or the weld may be missing entirely. The spring-hangers are brackets located on either side of the axle. Defective or missing welds can cause cracks to form in the spring-hanger.

Corrective Action

If the hanger is cracked, the gusset and the crack will be welded. A replacement hanger will then be ordered and installed as soon as possible, without charge to owner.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses, Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 81V146000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Thomas Built Buses, Inc. or involving Suspension.

FAQ: Recall 81V146000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 81V146000?

NHTSA recall 81V146000 was issued by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. on December 8, 1981. It addresses: Suspension:i-beam:solid:front leaf spring assembly. The recall affects approximately 388 vehicles, with the defect involving the Suspension component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Thomas Built Buses, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 81V146000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.