NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas Built Buses dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

NHTSA #08V622000

Reported November 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 18,198 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCK RECALL NO. FL-539.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

NHTSA #08V088000

Reported February 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 760 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-524.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

NHTSA #03V205000

Reported June 2, 2003 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 461 vehicles

Defect description

ON CERTAIN THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES, THE ALTERNATOR CABLE CAN PINCH BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND ENGINE BLOCK.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO WIRE INSULATION AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Manufacturer 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 SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT AT

Notes

FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT RECALL NO. FL-415.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF model years

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