RecallMyCar

Thomas Mvp EF Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 24 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints across 15 model years of the Thomas Mvp EF (1994–2008). The most-complained-about year is 1998.

24
safety recalls, all years
7
owner complaints, all years
2000
year with most recalls
1998
year with most complaints

Pick your Thomas Mvp EF model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2008 Thomas Mvp EF40
2007 Thomas Mvp EF40
2006 Thomas Mvp EF40
2005 Thomas Mvp EF50
2004 Thomas Mvp EF61
2003 Thomas Mvp EF60
2002 Thomas Mvp EF90
2001 Thomas Mvp EF100
2000 Thomas Mvp EF110
1999 Thomas Mvp EF100
1998 Thomas Mvp EF83
1997 Thomas Mvp EF62
1996 Thomas Mvp EF41
1995 Thomas Mvp EF40
1994 Thomas Mvp EF30

What Thomas Mvp EF owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 3.

All Thomas Mvp EF recalls (24)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Thomas Mvp EF, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 08V622000 Reported 18,198 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

    Daimler trucks is recalling 18,198 my 2003-2009 thomas built er, mvp-er, hdx, and mvp-ef school and transit buses equipped with a dual power switch and manufactured from february 1, 2002 through october 17, 2008. Solid state circuit breakers may trip unnecessarily potentially resulting in a loss of power to the bus chassis and body…

    Remedy: Thomas built bus dealers will replace the solid state dual power switch with a mechanical circuit production (mega fuse). The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact thomas built at…

    Model years: 2008

  2. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V430000 Reported 1,419 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

    Daimler trucks is recalling 1,419 my 2006 through 2008 thomas built school buses and recreational vehicle chassis manufactured between march 7, 2005 and may 27, 2008, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift…

    Remedy: Thomas built is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or thomas built 1-336-889-4871.

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008

  3. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V432000 Reported 1,046 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

    Daimler trucks is recalling 2,250 my 2006 and 2007 thomas built minotour, fs65, c2, hdx, and mvp ef school buses and recreational vehicle chassis manufactured between march 9, 2005 and february 23, 2007, equipped with ricon s or k series wheelchair lifts. The anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility…

    Remedy: Daimler trucks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts (please see 07e097). The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1-800-322-2884 or thomas built at 1-336-889-4871.

    Model years: 2006, 2007

  4. Hinge and attachments (structure)

    NHTSA 08V087000 Reported 243,435 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

    Daimler trucks is recalling 243,435 my 1995-2008 thomas built school buses manufactured between january 1994, and march 10, 2008. (additional buses have been added to this recall campaign. Please see supplemental report no. 4) the emergency exit door handle begins corroding around the securing roll pin and square drive mechanism causing…

    Remedy: Daimler trucks will notify owners and will replace the handles with a more robust handle free of charge. Repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships. The recall began on august 18, 2008, and…

    Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  5. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 07V544000 Reported 33,303 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2001 through 2008 thomas built fs-56, er, mvp er, hdx, and mvp ef school buses manufactured from october 23, 2000, through january 24, 2006, equipped with tyco pc board and type ii auto reset circuit breakers. Type ii auto reset circuit breaker temperatures may exceed the rating of the tyco pc board causing the boards to melt…

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses by replacing the type ii auto reset circuit breakers with manual circuit breakers, and the jumper cable. The recall began on march 28, 2008. Owners may contact…

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  6. Seat belts

    NHTSA 07V142000 Reported 11,265 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain my 1994 through 2002 thomas built minotour, fs-65, mvp-ef, er, and hdx-ef school buses manufactured between january 23, 1994, and april 15, 2002. The seat belt may chafe on the edge of a metal bracket and wear prematurely.

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify owners and replace any chafed seat belts and replace or modify the retainer strip to prevent any further chafing. The recall began on february 8, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built at…

    Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

  7. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 05V469000 Reported 8,310 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2004 and 2005 freightliner van, motor home, shuttle bus, and school bus chassis manufactured between january 2004 and may 2005. Erratic voltage supply to the fuel lift pump causes premature wear of the pump. This premature wear could result in fuel lift pump failure and in some cases may cause an engine stall condition.

    Remedy: Cummins will notify the owners of the freightliner and thomas built vehicles and will repair the engines by emc recalibration and replacement of the fuel lift pump at no charge to the customer. Owners may contact…

    Model years: 2004, 2005

  8. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V347000 Reported 5,954 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware,…

    Remedy: For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, thomas built is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses operated in the warmer states, dealers will replace the…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

  9. School bus stop arm assembly (other)

    NHTSA 05V340000 Reported 13,583 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois,…

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify its owners and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free…

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

  10. Fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 05V205000 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner fs-65 school bus chassis and mb-45, mb-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel…

    Remedy: Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.

    Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

  11. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 05V137000 Reported 4,819 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER LLC

    Certain 2001-2004 my thomas built mvp-ef, er transit, mvp-er, hd, and hdx school buses manufactured between september 24, 2000, and march 4, 2004. The tie rod assembly can fracture and fail, possibly resulting in complete separation.

    Remedy: Thomas built will notify its customers and will replace the tie rod assembly free of charge. The recall began september 6, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built at (we do not yet have a telephone number).

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

  12. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 03V205000 Reported 461 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    On certain thomas school buses, the alternator cable can pinch between the air conditioning compressor and engine block.

    Remedy: Dealers will re-route the cable. Owner notification began july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…

    Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

  13. Seat belts

    NHTSA 02V160009 Reported 2,371 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    On certain school or transit buses with passenger seat belts with retractors, the cover halves for the retractable portion of the belt can separate completely and release the seat belt connector. If this occurs, one of the load bearing pins in the connector could separate from the connector and render the seat belt unusable. In the…

    Remedy: Dealers will provide a plastic outer cover that snaps over the existing cover on units in the field and will replace broken seat belts free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…

    Model years: 2000, 2001

  14. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 02V221000 Reported 15 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    On certain school and transit buses, the wheel lug nut may not tighten completely.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new wheel studs. Owner notification began february 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

    Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

  15. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 01V378000 Reported 57 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: certain school buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release." a third roof hatch must be added to meet the standard requirements. Only vehicles located in the state of washington are involved.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a third roof hatch. Owner notification began may 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

    Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

  16. Seats

    NHTSA 01V341000 Reported 708 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with syntec seats fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 222, "school bus passenger seating and crash protection." some seats (1) fail to meet the required four inch clearance during the test procedure, while still meeting the post test condition; (2) fail to meet the required…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and the seat back cushion on these vehicles. Owner notification began november 13, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…

    Model years: 2001

  17. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 01V097009 Reported 129 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with safety belt assemblies produced by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.

    Remedy: Am-safe notified thomas built's customers to return their vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the seat belts repaired free of charge. Owner notification began september 21, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to…

    Model years: 2000

  18. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 01V044002 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: trucks, school bus and motor home chassis, and transit buses equipped with tie rod assemblies manufactured by trw. The suspect tie rods contain 24-dl model ball sockets. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began may 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

    Model years: 1999

  19. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 00V428000 Reported 557 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with air brakes and a trw steering gear. The pinch bolt on the pitman arm contacts the exhaust port on the air brake treadle valve during steering maneuvers.

    Remedy: Dealers will add a spacer under the brake valve to provide sufficient clearance.

    Model years: 2000

  20. Seats

    NHTSA 00V362000 Reported 6,500 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: certain school buses and transit buses equipped with national seating's series 93b-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching the gas spring shock to the height adjuster of the seat can deform and break. This bracket is located at the top of the height adjuster.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat base and add reinforcement to the seat assembly

    Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

  21. Antilock (service brakes)

    NHTSA 00V232002 Reported 35,405 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

  22. Antilock (service brakes)

    NHTSA 00V232011 Reported 4,780 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    Vehicle description: school bus chassis and emergency vehicles built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

  23. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 95V191000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The accelerator pedal lever can contact the engine cover causing the accelerator linkage to bind and not return to idle.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal rocker and installing a retaining bracket at the engine cover to prevent the cover from contacting the accelerator pedal.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  24. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 95V170000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

    The routing of the positive battery cable can allow heat from the air discharge line to melt the cable.

    Remedy: Dealers will reroute the positive battery cable and replace any cables that show damage.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

Other Thomas models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.