Recall 19V718 affects 7 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses for a delayed seatbelt warning light. Repair is free at franchised GM dealers.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 7 2020 Minotour school buses because the seatbelt-unfastened warning light stays dark for about five seconds after the ignition is turned on or started. Without that reminder, a driver can forget to buckle the seatbelt, raising injury risk in a crash; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The seatbelt-unfastened warning light in the 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is part of the instrument cluster. Its normal job is simple: when the ignition is turned to "on" or "start," the cluster should illuminate the warning light so the driver knows the front seat belt is not buckled.
On affected buses, the chassis software from the GMC Savannah or Chevrolet Express cab delays that warning light. The light does not illuminate for approximately five seconds after the ignition is moved to "on" or "start." That delay is the defect, because the warning system is supposed to alert the driver right away when the belt is unfastened.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is visible only when the ignition is turned on or started and the seatbelt-unfastened light does not illuminate right away.
Who's affected?
Covers two systems on the same Minotour bus scope: the instrument panel and the seat-belt warning devices.
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | seat belt |
| Units affected | 7 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?
A missing seatbelt warning reminder can leave the driver without the usual prompt to buckle up, increasing injury risk in a crash. Confirm the seatbelt is fastened before every trip and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free instrument-panel-cluster reprogramming that restores the seatbelt-unfastened warning light.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V718 when you call.
- Use extra care with seatbelt checks until the repair is complete, since the warning light does not come on as required.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician reprograms the instrument panel cluster so the seatbelt unfastened warning light works as required when the ignition is turned on or started. The software update and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid for this repair before the recall notice, the general reimbursement plan on file gives you a way to claim documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact customer service for the submission path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 3, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| October 10, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 7, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| December 7, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 7, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V718?
Recall 19V718 covers 7 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses built on a GMC Savannah or Chevrolet Express chassis. The seatbelt-unfastened warning light does not illuminate for 5 seconds after startup. GM dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V718. If it is, contact a franchised GM dealer to schedule instrument panel cluster reprogramming. Reference recall number 19V718 and DTNA recall number FL-833 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect to be repaired at no cost, and the remedy says GM dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The repair applies even if the bus was bought used.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a missing seatbelt reminder at startup. Without the warning light, the driver lacks the normal reminder to fasten the seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury in a crash if the belt is not fastened.
When did this recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on October 3, 2019. Because that date has passed, owners with an included 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour should contact a GM dealer for the free instrument panel cluster reprogramming.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V718000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-462-8782 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V718 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V718000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →