1996 Thomas Built Mvp Er Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1996 Thomas Built Mvp Er has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 258,508 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 08V356000 2008-07-30 3,773 affected
Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 3,773 MY 1996 THROUGH 2002 THOMAS BUILT MVP ER SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 8, 1995 THROUGH FEBRUARY 16, 2001, EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116 AND 3126 ENGINES. UN-FUSED POWER CABLES WERE TIE-WRAPPED TO A WIRE BRAID ENGINE FUEL RETURN HOSE. OVER TIME THESE CABLES MAY CHAFE, WEARING…

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CABLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUILT AT 1-336-889-4871.

STRUCTURE 08V087000 2008-02-26 243,435 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…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 02V085000 2002-03-20 4,800 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, MISALIGNMENT OF THE FAN DRIVE SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE BELT AND PULLEY BEARING WEAR.

Consequence

IF THE SCHOOL BUS IS DISABLED BY A COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE AND IS STALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY TO A SCHOOL BUS OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN BELT, IDLER PULLEY, AND BELT TENSIONER AND THE PULLEY'S LASER WILL BE ALIGNED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 10, 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…

SEATS 00V362000 2000-11-03 6,500 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

Defect investigations

Investigation PE02023 Opened 2002-02-12 · closed 2002-03-25

FAN DRIVE UPDATE

IN OCTOBER 2001, THOMAS BUILT BUSES SENT OUT A VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION (VON) TO BUS OWNERS OUTLINING PROCEDURES FOR THE PROPER ALIGNMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE'S FAN DRIVE COMPONENTS.DIRECTIONS IN THE COMMUNICATION REQUIRE THAT THE IDLER PULLEY, BELT TENSIONER, AND THE FAN BELT WILL NEED TO BE…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Thomas Built Mvp Er as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.