Thomas built/battery cable routing
Defect 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.
Safety Consequence
If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Thomas Built Buses, Inc. or involving Electrical System.
FAQ: Recall 97V133000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 97V133000?
NHTSA recall 97V133000 was issued by Thomas Built Buses, Inc. on August 22, 1997. It addresses: Thomas built/battery cable routing. The recall affects approximately 8,107 vehicles, with the defect involving the Electrical System component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Thomas Built Buses, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V133000 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.