2009 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF: complaints, problems and recalls

THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUS WITH SYNTEC SEATS. 12 OUT OF 26 SEAT BACKS BROKEN. THE SEAT BACKS ARE CONSTRUCTED OF A TUBULAR FRAME WITH A SHEET METAL CENTER BACKING. THE SHEET METAL BACKING IS BREAKING AROUND THE SPOT WELDS WHERE THEY ARE SECURED TO THE TUBULAR FRAME. SCHOOL BUSES DO NOT HAVE SEAT BELTS THEREFORE THE SEAT IS THE SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE CHILDREN IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN. THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE A SERIOUS CONCERN AND THE SEAT MANUFACTURER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE MOTIVATED TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10596074 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-11-26 (November 26, 2008)

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 OF ENGINE POWER AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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.

Reported: 2009-10-02 (October 2, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 31, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 18, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS WOULD BE DECREASED, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN TO INJURY BY PASSING VEHICLES.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LIGHT KITS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2009-12-01 (December 1, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2009. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE SCUFF PLATE AND BECOME STUCK IN FULL THROTTLE POSITION.

Consequence: A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL RAISE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-09-03 (September 3, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MVP-EF THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 THROUGH JULY 16, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX IS LOCATED IN AN AREA EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SPLASH AND SPRY. IN SOME APPLICATIONS THE CABLE CONNECTIONS MAY CORRODE RAPIDLY. IF UNDETECTED, EXTREME CORROSION MAY CAUSE A POWER CABLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE POWER SOURCE RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR A LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE MEGA FUSE JUNCTION BLOCK AND ELECTRICAL BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-09-03 (September 3, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MVP-EF NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFCATURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 THROUGH JULY 16, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX IS LOCATED IN AN AREA EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SPLASH AND SPRY. IN SOME APPLICATIONS THE CABLE CONNECTIONS MAY CORRODE RAPIDLY. IF UNDETECTED, EXTREME CORROSION MAY CAUSE A POWER CABLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE POWER SOURCE RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR A LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE MEGA FUSE JUNCTION BLOCK AND ELECTRICAL BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER HDX, MVP-EF, FS-65, AND MINOTOR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 SAF-T-LINER HDX, MVP-EF, AND MINOTOR NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.