Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports

Thomas Conventional — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Thomas Conventional model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
28
Years to Avoid
2000, 1996, 1995, 1994
Best Years
1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977
2004
0 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2003
0 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2002
1 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2001
1 complaints4 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
2000Avoid
0 complaints7 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1999
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
1998
0 complaints7 recalls
1997
0 complaints8 recalls
1996Avoid
0 complaints11 recalls2 TSBs
1995Avoid
0 complaints10 recalls
1994Avoid
0 complaints9 recalls
1993
0 complaints7 recalls
1992
0 complaints5 recalls
1991
0 complaints5 recalls
1990
0 complaints3 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Thomas Conventional Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2000, 1996, 1995, 1994 Thomas Conventional are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Thomas Conventional, consider the 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed