The 1998 Thomas Built Mvp Ef has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 317,903 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, diesel. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STRUCTURE08V0870002008-02-26243,435 affected
Defect
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…
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.
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…
SEAT BELTS07V1420002007-03-2711,265 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
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.
CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO…
Consequence
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM03V2050002003-06-02461 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES, THE ALTERNATOR CABLE CAN PINCH BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND ENGINE BLOCK.
Consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO WIRE INSULATION AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
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
STRUCTURE01V3780002001-12-1257 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BUS OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE BUS QUICKLY.
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.
SEATS00V3620002000-11-036,500 affected
Defect
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.
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BASE AND ADD REINFORCEMENT TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR00V2320022000-08-0735,405 affected
Defect
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…
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR00V2320112000-08-074,780 affected
Defect
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…
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
3
Total complaints3
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Dt*: the contact stated there is a build up of road salt corrosion on the fuel tank. The corrosion caused a leak in the fuel tank. The leak was discovered during a routine inspection. The fuel tank was cleaned and the hole was patched by an independent repair shop. The problem has not returned.”
“Dt*: the contact stated there is a build up of road salt corrosion on the fuel tank. The corrosion caused a leak in the fuel tank. The leak was discovered during a routine inspection. The fuel tank was cleaned and the hole was patched by an independent repair shop. The problem has not returned.”
“Dt*: the contact stated there is a build up of road salt corrosion on the fuel tank. The corrosion caused a leak in the fuel tank. The leak was discovered during a routine inspection. The fuel tank was cleaned and the hole was patched by an independent repair shop. The problem has not returned.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationSQ99008 Opened 1999-03-19 · closed 1999-04-13
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Thomas Built Mvp Ef as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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