1996 Thomas MVP: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-02-15 (February 15, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NEWAY AD 200 REAR AIR SUSPENSIONS. THERE IS INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUSPENSION U-BOLT AND THE REAR AXLE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE U-BOLT TO CRACK AND FALL OFF.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE AND FREE PARTS.

Reported: 2000-06-30 (June 30, 2000)

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES WITH WELDON TECHNOLOGIES' 5050-1400 SURFACE MOUNT MARKER LIGHTS HAVE AN OPTION TO REPLACE EACH OF THE TWELVE CLEARANCE/MARKER/IDENTIFICATION LIGHTS WITH FOUR-CANDLEPOWER LIGHTS, TWICE THE CANDLEPOWER NORMALLY USED. THE HIGHER CURRENT DEMAND CREATED BY THESE LIGHTS CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE HEAT THROUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTION IF A RELAY IS NOT INSTALLED BETWEEN THE COMBINATION TAIL/MARKER LIGHT CIRCUIT AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN DEFORMATION OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTORS THAT CONNECT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO ITS WIRING HARNESS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY TO REDUCE THE CURRENT DRAW THROUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 8, 2000. 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 SHOULD CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-881-7219.

Reported: 1996-07-23 (July 23, 1996)

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE SERVICE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET.

Consequence: IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: A MOLDED COVER WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE MANUALLY OPERATED OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE DOOR CONTROL ROD ATTACHING BRACKET WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE OPENING THAT COULD ALLOW AN ITEM OF A CHILD'S CLOTHING TO BECOME SNAGGED.

Reported: 1996-09-05 (September 5, 1996)

AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD, SUCH AS A LONG DRAWSTRING, SASH, OR BACKPACK/BOOKBAG ACCESSORY, CAN BECOME CAUGHT ON THE FATENERS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT TO THE HANDRAIL.

Consequence: IF AN ITEM WORN BY A CHILD WERE TO CATCH ON THIS AREA, AND THE DRIVER WERE TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE EXISTING 1" BOLTS THAT SECURE THE HANDRAIL SUPPORT WILL BE REPLACED WITH 1/2" BOLTS.

Reported: 1997-01-13 (January 13, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ISRINGHAUSEN SEATS IN THE DRIVER POSITION. TWO WELDS LOCATED ON THE BACK REST ADJUSTMENT SIDE OF THE SEAT FRAME DID NOT MEET THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence: IF THESE WELDS WERE NOT TO SPECIFICATION, BACK REST LOADS COULD CAUSE THE WELDS TO FAIL. THE BACK REST WOULD DISENGAGE FROM THE SEAT FRAME ALLOWING LOSS OF SUPPORT TO THE DRIVER'S TORSO AND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: ISRINGHAUSEN IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE SEATS AND REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 1997-06-12 (June 12, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS 6B ENGINES AND DELCO ALTERNATORS. THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING ALLOWS THE CABLE TO CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Consequence: IF THE CABLE CONTACTS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THE ENGINE COULD STALL AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Reported: 1997-08-22 (August 22, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH IN-LINE SIX ENGINE,"S" TYPE FRAME RAILS AND SIDE MOUNTED BATTERY BOX. THE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING ALLOWS THE POSITIVE CABLE TO CHAFE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CABLE.

Consequence: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES TO SECURE THE CABLE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Reported: 1997-11-01 (November 1, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE FLIP SEATS INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES DO NOT MEET THE REARWARD PUSH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR FOR THEM.

Reported: 1998-03-12 (March 12, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NON-ELECTRONIC CUMMINS B5.9L ENGINES. THE SLIDING ACTION OF THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE LEVER OVER THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE CAN CAUSE THE HAND THROTTLE WIRE TO WEAR A NOTCH IN THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE RESULTING IN BINDING OF THE LINKAGE. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Consequence: SUCH BINDING CAN PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL FROM RETURNING TO IDLE QUICKLY OR FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ACCELERATOR LINKAGE LEVER AND READJUST THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE, OR REPLACE THE EXISTING HAND THROTTLE ATTACHMENT CLIP AND READJUST THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE.

Reported: 1998-09-17 (September 17, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC ENGINES. THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN CATCH ON THE FLOOR MAT WHEN THE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CATCHES ON THE FLOOR MAT, ENGINE OVERSPEED COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET TO RAISE THE ACCELERATOR SO THE PEDAL DOES NOT CATCH ON THE FLOOR MAT.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB OR CATERPILLAR 3126 ENGINES. A DECAL THAT WARNS OF THE DANGER OF USING ETHER OR OTHER STARTING FLUIDS IN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM WAS OMITTED. THE LABEL SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE FIXED HEADLIGHT PANEL ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS.

Consequence: THE ELECTRICAL PREHEATER ELEMENT COULD POSSIBLY BE IGNITED BY STARTING FLUID SPRAYED INTO THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM, RESULTING IN EXPLOSION AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY TO THOSE IN AND AROUND THE BUS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A WARNING LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.