NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Thomas MVP EF Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Thomas MVP EF has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thomas dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Thomas MVP EF. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Thomas MVP EF owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Thomas MVP EF, describing incidents dated April 18, 2000.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #861108 · Filed April 28, 2000
METAL GUARDS ON HEADLIGHTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST BRAKE LINE, WHICH COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE LEAK, AND A LOSS OF BRAKING. *AK *ML
ODI #861106 · Filed April 28, 2000
METAL GUARDS ON HEADLIGHTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE LEAKAGE, AND LOSS OF BRAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Read all 2 complaints

EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE

NHTSA #08V087000 · Structure — Body — Door — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 243,435 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-525 · Owners notified August 18, 2008 · Vehicles built January 1, 1994 – March 10, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 243,435 MY 1995-2008 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1994, AND MARCH 10, 2008. (ADDITIONAL BUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT NO. 4) THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR HANDLE BEGINS CORRODING AROUND THE SECURING ROLL PIN AND SQUARE DRIVE MECHANISM CAUSING THE PROTECTIVE FINISH TO CHIP AND FLAKE. CONTINUED CORROSION AND PITTING WEAKENS THE HANDLE. HANDLES WEAKENED BY CORROSION MAY BREAK WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUS MAY BREAK THE DOOR HANDLE TRYING TO OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT POTENTIALLY DELAYING EVACUATION AND INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HANDLES WITH A MORE ROBUST HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008, AND NOTIFICATION FOR THE REVISED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-525.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.

SEAT BELT FRAY

NHTSA #07V142000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 11,265 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-495 · Owners notified February 8, 2008 · Vehicles built January 23, 1994 – April 15, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN MY 1994 THROUGH 2002 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS-65, MVP-EF, ER, AND HDX-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 1994, AND APRIL 15, 2002. THE SEAT BELT MAY CHAFE ON THE EDGE OF A METAL BRACKET AND WEAR PREMATURELY.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ANY CHAFED SEAT BELTS AND REPLACE OR MODIFY THE RETAINER STRIP TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER CHAFING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 336-889-4871 OR CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-495.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.

FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT/FMVSS 217/ROOF HATCH

NHTSA #01V378000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported December 12, 2001 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 57 vehicles

Owners notified May 1, 2002 · Vehicles built November 1, 1996 – November 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." A THIRD ROOF HATCH MUST BE ADDED TO MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. ONLY VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON ARE INVOLVED.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BUS OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE BUS QUICKLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THIRD ROOF HATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 1, 2002. 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 336-889-4871.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

THOMAS BUILT/DRIVER SEAT BRACKET

NHTSA #00V362000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 2000 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

Potentially affected: 6,500 vehicles

Owners notified February 9, 2001 · Vehicles built April 1, 1996 – September 30, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL SEATING'S SERIES 93B-SB DRIVER SEAT. A BRACKET ATTACHING THE GAS SPRING SHOCK TO THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER OF THE SEAT CAN DEFORM AND BREAK. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.

Safety consequence

IF THE BRACKET IS NOT REPLACED AFTER DEFORMING, AND IS ALLOWED TO BREAK, ITS BREAKING WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN DROP OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 2001.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 ATALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

THOMAS BUILT/FREIGHTLINER/ABS ECU

NHTSA #00V232011 · Service Brakes, Air — Antilock · NHTSA notice

Reported August 7, 2000 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,780 vehicles

Owners notified August 29, 2000 · Vehicles built February 13, 1998 – August 3, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2000, TO SCHOOL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE CUSTOMERS. OWNERS OF THE REMAINING POPULATION WERE SENT LETTERS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 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 FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FREIGHTLINER/ABS ECU

NHTSA #00V232002 · Service Brakes, Air — Antilock · NHTSA notice

Reported August 7, 2000 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 35,405 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-266 · Owners notified August 29, 2000 · Vehicles built February 13, 1998 – August 3, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU), THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.

Notes

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Thomas MVP EF. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Thomas MVP EF.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Structure

ODI #861108

Incident: April 18, 2000 · Filed: April 28, 2000

METAL GUARDS ON HEADLIGHTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST BRAKE LINE, WHICH COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE LEAK, AND A LOSS OF BRAKING. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Structure

ODI #861106

Incident: April 18, 2000 · Filed: April 28, 2000

METAL GUARDS ON HEADLIGHTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE LEAKAGE, AND LOSS OF BRAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Other Thomas MVP EF model years

Check your 1997 Thomas MVP EF VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Thomas MVP EF at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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