2010 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-07-23 (July 23, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 35 MODEL YEAR 2010 MVP-EF AND HDX THOMAS BUILT TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 2008 THROUGH MARCH 25, 2009 THE EMERGENCY EXIT PUSH-OUT WINDOW MAY BE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY RESULTING IN BINDING OF THE WINDOW.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION, BINDING EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS MAY DELAY EVACUATION AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DAIMLER TRUCKS DEALERSHIPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712 OR THOMAS BUILT CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE 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: 2010-10-14 (October 14, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF, HDX, AND SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2009, THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH STABILUS BLOC-O-LIFT, P/N 5561ED, DRIVER SEATS. THE WELD WHICH HOLDS THE MOUNTING TAB TO THE SHOCK BODY WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED AND CAN BREAK.

Consequence: THE SEAT COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD CAUSE MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED THOMAS BUILT BUSES SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-10-14 (October 14, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF AND HDX NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2009, THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH STABILUS BLOC-O-LIFT, P/N 5561ED, DRIVER SEATS. THE WELD WHICH HOLDS THE MOUNTING TAB TO THE SHOCK BODY WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED AND CAN BREAK.

Consequence: THE SEAT COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY WITH OUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD CAUSE MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED THOMAS BUILT BUSES SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 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.