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Thomas School Bus — Years to Avoid

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

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
Best Years
2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000
2011Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls
2009
3 complaints0 recalls
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002
2 complaints0 recalls2 invest.
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999
3 complaints0 recalls2 invest.
1998
11 complaints0 recalls
1997
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1996
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1995
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1994
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1993
0 complaints4 recalls2 invest.
1992Avoid
0 complaints10 recalls1 invest.
1991Avoid
0 complaints11 recalls1 invest.
1990Avoid
0 complaints12 recalls1 invest.
1989Avoid
0 complaints9 recalls1 invest.
1988Avoid
0 complaints8 recalls1 invest.
1987
0 complaints6 recalls
1986
0 complaints6 recalls
1985
0 complaints6 recalls
1984
0 complaints4 recalls
1983
0 complaints4 recalls
1982
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1981
0 complaints4 recalls
1980
0 complaints4 recalls
1979
0 complaints3 recalls
1978
0 complaints3 recalls
1977
0 complaints3 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 School Bus Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988 Thomas School Bus 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 School Bus, consider the 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed