Recall 15V754 affects 27 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses for a loose alternator power cable. Repair is free at authorized service facilities.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 27 2016 Minotour school buses because an alternator power cable can be strained after a wiring harness was rerouted during alternator relocation. If the cable loosens at the terminal nut, electrical arcing increases the risk of a fire; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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 alternator wiring on the 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour carries electrical power from the alternator into the bus electrical system. The alternator charges the battery and supports lights, controls, and other electrical loads while the engine runs. Its power cable needs a clean path with enough slack, so vibration and engine movement do not pull against the alternator terminal.
On these Minotour school buses, the alternator was relocated and the wiring harness was routed incorrectly. That routing puts strain on the power cable at the alternator terminal, the connection point where the cable attaches to the alternator. When the cable is under tension, the connection can loosen. A loose high-current connection can build heat at the terminal and damage the surrounding wiring.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on a dash light, sound, or change in drivability before the alternator cable connection loosens.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | wiring |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 27 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
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?
A loose power cable nut at the alternator terminal can create an electrical arc and increase the risk of a fire. Have the vehicle checked promptly and avoid delaying the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility to confirm the completed electrical-system repair or schedule it if your bus still needs it.
- Ask the service facility to inspect the alternator power cable and terminal nut, the strained connection that can arc and raise fire risk.
- Bring any recall notice you have. If you do not have one, reference recall number 15V754 when you call.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-745-8000 with questions about the repair status.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility, a technician checks the alternator wiring harness routing and the power cable connection at the alternator terminal. The repair addresses a strained cable that can loosen at the terminal after the alternator relocation. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. DTNA reported that all affected vehicles had been repaired as of January 20, 2016, but a current owner can still ask a Thomas Built Buses service facility to confirm the recall status for the VIN.
Timeline
| November 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| January 10, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 10, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 10, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 20, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V754?
Recall 15V754 covers 27 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses with an alternator power cable routed under strain. The cable can loosen at the alternator terminal nut, create an electrical arc, and increase fire risk. Authorized service facilities handled the repair.
What should I do if my 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 15V754. If it is, contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility and reference recall number 15V754 or FL-694. The filing says all affected vehicles were repaired by January 20, 2016.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. For recall 15V754, authorized service facilities performed the alternator power cable repair, and the filing says all affected vehicles were repaired by January 20, 2016.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical arc at the alternator terminal. The recall filing says the strained alternator power cable can loosen at the terminal nut, which can create an arc and increase fire risk. If your VIN is included, confirm the repair record before returning the bus to service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V754000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V754 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V754000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →