Recall 20V690 affects 615 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses for wheelchair-lift interlock wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 615 2008-2021 Minotour school buses because the driver can release the park brake and shift out of Park while the wheelchair lift is deployed. If that happens, the bus can move forward or backward and increase injury risk; 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 wheelchair lift system on 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses is supposed to protect the passenger area and the lift platform while the lift is in use. When the lift is deployed, the bus controls should keep the park brake applied and keep the transmission from shifting out of Park into a drive gear.
On affected Minotour buses built on a GM chassis with the optional wheelchair lift, that interlock does not hold the bus in place as required. The driver can release the park brake and shift into a drive gear while the lift remains deployed. That means the bus can move before the lift is safely stowed, creating a hazard for anyone using or standing near the lift.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is in how the lift, brake, and transmission controls interact, so the driver is not given a separate symptom before the unsafe shift condition is present.
Who's affected?
Scope stays on the Minotour bus line across the 2008-2021 model years, with the same equipment adaptive/mobility component listed throughout.
| 2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2019 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2020 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Minotour | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 615 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the Minotour is shifted into drive while the wheelchair lift is deployed, the bus can move forward or backward and injure someone near the lift. Confirm the lift is fully stowed before moving the bus, and schedule the wiring modification soon. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free wheelchair lift wiring modification that addresses shifting out of Park while the lift is deployed.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V690 when you call.
- Keep the bus parked while the wheelchair lift is deployed, and confirm the lift is fully stowed before shifting out of Park.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility, a technician checks the wheelchair lift wiring and modifies it where required. The work is meant to keep the bus from being shifted out of Park while the wheelchair lift is deployed. The recall repair is available now, and the wiring work is free. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the service visit should not create an out-of-pocket charge for the owner.
Timeline
| November 9, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 7, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 7, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 19, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V690?
Recall 20V690 covers 615 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses with wheelchair lift wiring that allows the park brake to release and the transmission to shift out of Park while the lift is deployed. Thomas Built Buses dealers modify the wheelchair lift wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2021 Thomas Built Buses Minotour is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 20V690. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the wheelchair lift wiring modification. Reference recall number 20V690 and Thomas Built Buses recall number FL-868 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V690, Thomas Built Buses dealers modify the wheelchair lift wiring as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended vehicle movement while the wheelchair lift is deployed. If the bus shifts into a drive gear with the lift out, it can move forward or backward and increase the risk of injury to a person near or using the lift.
When were owners notified about recall 20V690?
Thomas Built Buses issued an interim owner notice on January 6, 2021, and mailed owner notification letters on May 19, 2021. If you bought the bus used or did not receive a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V690000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V690 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V690000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →