Recall 14V590 affects 4 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses for an overloaded lighting fuse. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 4 2015 Minotour school buses under recall 14V590 because the circuit can overload and blow a fuse when the hazard lights and brake lights are used together. If that fuse blows, both lights stop working, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour uses exterior lighting circuits to power the hazard lights and brake lights. The hazard lights warn surrounding traffic when the bus is stopped or disabled, while the brake lights tell drivers behind the bus that the driver is slowing or stopping. A fuse protects the wiring by opening the circuit when the electrical load is too high.
On affected Minotour buses, using the hazard lights and brake lights at the same time can overload that circuit. The overload can blow the fuse, which cuts power through the protected part of the lighting circuit. That leaves the bus with a lighting fault until the fuse and wiring issue are addressed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing a driver or technician notices is that the affected lights stop working after the fuse blows.
Who's affected?
Covers the same Minotour buses under two component areas: exterior lighting and wiring.
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | wiring |
| Units affected | 4 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the fuse blows, the hazard lights and brake lights stop working. That removes key signals other drivers need when the bus slows, stops, or has an emergency, increasing crash risk. Park the bus for service if those lights stop working. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask whether the free higher-amperage fuse replacement is open for your bus.
- Schedule the fuse replacement that keeps the hazard lights and brake lights working when used together.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses sent one. Reference recall number 14V590 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-666 when you call.
- Avoid using the hazard lights and brake lights at the same time until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the affected fuses with higher amperage fuses so the hazard lights and brake lights do not overload the circuit when used together. DTNA has notified owners, and the fuse replacement is free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. If you are scheduling service, give the service desk recall FL-666 and ask them to confirm that the fuse replacement has been completed for your VIN.
Timeline
| September 23, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V590?
Recall 14V590 covers 4 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses with a fuse issue in the exterior lighting and electrical system. When the hazard lights and brake lights are used together, the circuit can overload, blow the fuse, and shut off both lights. Dealers replaced the fuse free of charge.
What should I do if my 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V590. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and ask whether the higher-amperage fuse replacement has already been completed. Reference recall 14V590 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost. For recall 14V590, dealers replaced the affected fuses with higher-amperage fuses free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of brake lights and hazard lights after the fuse blows. Without those lights, other drivers have less warning when the bus is stopping or disabled, increasing the risk of a crash. The repair path is the free fuse replacement at a franchised dealer.
What if I bought this Minotour used?
The free recall repair still applies to a used bus. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then ask a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to confirm whether recall 14V590 has already been completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V590000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V590 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V590000 |
Source documents
-
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 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →