Recall 18V330 affects 6 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour transit buses for wheelchair lift interlock wiring. Free repair at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 6 2003-2006 Minotour transit buses equipped with optional wheelchair lifts because a missing relay in the interlock wiring harness can let the lift operate while the bus is in neutral or drive. If the bus moves during lift use, riders face an increased risk of injury, and Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift interlock on 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour buses is an electrical safety circuit tied to the lift controls and the vehicle's gear position. Its normal job is to keep the lift from operating unless the bus is safely stopped and secured. A relay in that wiring harness acts like a switch, allowing or blocking lift operation at the right time.
On affected Minotour buses built on a Ford chassis with the optional wheelchair lift, that relay is missing from the interlock wiring harness. Without the relay, the lift interlock does not block operation the way it was designed to. The lift can operate while the bus is in neutral or drive, and the bus can move while the lift is in use.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is in the wiring setup, so an owner or driver would not be expected to hear, feel, or see a separate symptom before the lift operates when it should stay locked out.
Who's affected?
Covers the Minotour across 4 model years, all involving adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2005 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2003 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2004 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 6 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the bus moves while the wheelchair lift is in use, a wheelchair user or attendant faces increased risk of injury. Keep the vehicle secured during lift operation and schedule the inspection promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free wheelchair-lift interlock wiring inspection and correction.
- Reference recall number 18V330 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses has mailed one.
- Keep the bus stationary whenever the wheelchair lift is in use until the dealer completes the repair.
- Call Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or owner notification.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility, a technician inspects the wheelchair lift wiring and corrects the interlock wiring as needed. The repair is meant to keep the lift from operating while the bus is in neutral or drive. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Call the service facility with recall FL-770 when scheduling so the lift wiring inspection is matched to this campaign.
Timeline
| May 17, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 6, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 6, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 15, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V330?
Recall 18V330 covers 6 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour transit buses built on a Ford chassis with an optional wheelchair lift. The lift interlock wiring is missing a relay, so the lift can operate while the vehicle is in neutral or drive. Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2003-2006 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V330. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the wheelchair lift wiring inspection and correction. Reference recall number 18V330 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-770 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to the owner. For recall 18V330, the dealer will inspect the wheelchair lift wiring and correct it as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury while the wheelchair lift is in use. If the bus moves while someone is using the lift, the person on or near the lift faces increased injury risk. Until the repair is complete, confirm the lift interlock works before using the lift.
What if I bought this Thomas Built Buses Minotour used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the bus, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm inclusion, then call a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer with recall number 18V330 or FL-770.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V330000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V330 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V330000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →