Thomas built/structure:body:grab bar
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: school buses equipped with manually operated outward opening entrance doors. an item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can becomecaught in the area between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket.
Safety 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 in serious injury or death.
Corrective Action
These buses were originally included in recall campaign 96v-139. however, the repair did not eliminate the potential snagging point between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket. therefore, owners are being renotified to inspect the orientation of the door control. if the door control does not match the orientation described in the renotification letter, the owner will be instructed to remove the existing control and the original recall repair part, reoirient the door control, and reinstall the recall repair part.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Thomas Built Buses, Inc. or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 97V117000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 97V117000?
NHTSA recall 97V117000 was issued by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. on July 25, 1997. It addresses: Thomas built/structure:body:grab bar. The recall affects approximately 8,187 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Thomas Built Buses, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V117000 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.