Recall 13V536 affects 6 2013 Thomas Built Minotour school buses for an incorrectly installed seat barrier. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built dealer.
Thomas Built is recalling 6 2013 Minotour school buses because the recall concerns incorrect components in the 5th row seat barrier installation. In a crash, the barrier can fail to perform as designed, which raises injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once Thomas Built makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The seat barrier in a 2013 Thomas Built Minotour school bus is the padded barrier placed ahead of a seating row. Its job is to help keep passengers contained in the seating area during a hard stop or crash, and it depends on the correct brackets, fasteners, and fit.
On these buses, incorrect components were used to install the 5th row seat barrier. That means the barrier was not built into the bus the way Thomas Built specified. The issue is not with the seat cushion itself; it is with the parts used to secure the barrier in that row.
A driver or owner will not see a dashboard light, noise, or handling change from this defect. There is no warning sign before failure. The problem has to be confirmed by checking the bus and having the barrier installation corrected through the recall repair.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Thomas Built Minotour | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 6 |
Not every 2013 Thomas Built Minotour bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, an incorrectly installed barrier can fail to perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Because there is no listed warning sign, confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange the dealer correction. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Thomas Built Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built dealer to schedule the free seat-barrier installation correction, which fixes the incorrect 5th row barrier components.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V536 when you call.
- Call Thomas Built customer service at 1-503-745-5219 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
The remedy on file says a Thomas Built dealer will correct the seat barrier's installation, free of charge, once the repair is available. The work centers on the 5th row seat barrier and the components used during installation. At the dealer, a Thomas Built technician checks the barrier installation and corrects the installed components so the barrier is secured as intended. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| October 30, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 5, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V536?
Recall 13V536 covers 6 2013 Thomas Built Minotour school buses with incorrect components used to install the 5th row seat barrier. In a crash, the barrier can fail to perform as designed, increasing injury risk. Thomas Built dealers will correct the barrier installation for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Thomas Built Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 13V536. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built dealer to schedule the barrier installation correction. Reference recall number 13V536 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost. Thomas Built dealers will correct the 5th row seat barrier installation free of charge, including the parts and labor needed for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury protection in a crash. The recall says incorrect components were used for the 5th row seat barrier installation, so the barrier can fail to perform as designed during a crash and increase the risk of injury.
When did Thomas Built begin this recall repair?
Thomas Built began the recall repair on December 5, 2013. Owners were notified, and dealers were instructed to correct the seat barrier installation for free. If you never received a notice, check your VIN and reference recall number 13V536 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V536000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built customer service | 1-503-745-5219 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V536 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V536000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →