2004 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MVP-EF Problems, Recalls & Safety Rating

Overview of the 2004 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MVP-EF

The 2004 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MVP-EF has received a total of 1 safety complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, STEERING:COLUMN. The most commonly reported problem area is the Electrical System (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2004 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MVP-EF

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2004 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MVP-EF, potentially affecting up to 21,653 vehicles.

Recall 08V622000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

July 6, 2009 | 18,198 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED LOSS...

Consequence: UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-336-889-4871.

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Recall 08V088000 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

August 8, 2008 | 760 vehicles affected

Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 760 MY 2003-2007 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 6, 2005 AND JULY 19, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, MODELS NL, NCL, OR NVL. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEMS OF THE SUBJECT MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

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Recall 06V422000 — STEERING:COLUMN

June 25, 2007 | 2,650 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 27, 2004, AND SEPTEMBER 10, 2006. THE STEERING COLUMN FLOOR SEAL FORMS A WELL AROUND THE COLUMN AT THE FLOOR. DEBRIS, SUCH AS LOOSE FASTENERS, MAY GET TRAPPED IN THE SEAL WELL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE STEERING TO BIND.

Consequence: IF THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD BIND, VEHICLE STEERING MAY BE RESTRICTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE SEAL WITH A NEW DESIGN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

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Recall 06V150000 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

June 23, 2006 | 45 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS65, MVP-EF, AND HDX MODEL SCHOOL BUSES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 16 AND JULY 1, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. CRACKS IN THE LIFT ARMS MAY ALLOW THE MECHANISM TO TWIST DURING STOWAGE, PREVENTING CLOSURE OF THE SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E008000) AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER...

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