1997 Thomas MVP: recalls and complaints

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• 00V17400030 Jun 2000Exterior Lighting / Headlights / Switch
• 00V04100015 Feb 2000Suspension / Rear
• 99V1770002 Jul 1999Equipment / Other / Labels
• 99V1760002 Jul 1999Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal
• 98V22900017 Sep 1998Seats
• 98V05400012 Mar 1998Vehicle Speed Control / Cables
• 97V1920001 Nov 1997Seats
• 97V17700020 Oct 1997Steering / Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
• 97V13300022 Aug 1997Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables

1. 00V174000Received 30 Jun 2000. 803 units.

   Exterior Lighting / Headlights / Switch

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   This can result in deformation of the plastic connectors that connect the headlight switch to its wiring harness.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by FREIGHTLINER LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Sep 2000.

2. 00V041000Received 15 Feb 2000. 757 units.

   Suspension / Rear

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   This condition could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners will be provided with a detailed repair procedure and free parts.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 May 2000.

3. 99V177000Received 2 Jul 1999. 1,123 units.

   Equipment / Other / Labels

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   Owners will be provided with a warning label and installation instructions.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Aug 1999.

4. 99V176000Received 2 Jul 1999. 1,307 units.

   Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   If the accelerator pedal catches on the floor mat, engine overspeed could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal mounting bracket to raise the accelerator so the pedal does not catch on the floor mat.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Nov 1999.

5. 98V229000Received 17 Sep 1998. 4,300 units.

   Seats

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will add a reinforcement to the bracket, or if the bracket is deformed and/or broken, the entire seat base will be replaced.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Dec 1998.

6. 98V054000Received 12 Mar 1998. 2,667 units.

   Vehicle Speed Control / Cables

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Sep 1998.

7. 97V192000Received 1 Nov 1997. 2,391 units.

   Seats

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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 NHTSA record

   In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Mar 1999.

8. 97V177000Received 20 Oct 1997. 953 units.

   Steering / Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Vehicle description: school and transit buses. If debris becomes trapped between the plastic cup, which seals the opening where the steering column comes through the bus floor and the steering knuckle, the steering linkage can bind.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Binding of the steering linkage could cause the driver to over steer the vehicle, possibly resulting in loss of control of the vehicle or a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Owners are requested to remove the plastic seal which will leave an opening between the vehicle floor and the steering column. Thomas built is in the process of designing a proper seal for that area, and this seal will be sent to owners for installation.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC..

9. 97V133000Received 22 Aug 1997. 8,107 units.

   Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 24 Oct 1997.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19771
2. 19781
3. 19791
4. 19801
5. 19811
6. 19821
7. 19831
8. 19841
9. 19851
10. 19861
11. 19871
12. 19882
13. 19892
14. 19903
15. 19913
16. 19924
17. 19936
18. 19948
19. 199510
20. 199612
21. 19979
22. 19987
23. 19995
24. 20002
25. 20011
26. 20021
27. 20031

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Thomas MVP: all model years
• Thomas: 27 model lines

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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 1997 Thomas MVPThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1997 Thomas MVP?

22,408 units in 9 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Thomas MVP have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the Thomas MVP, model years 1977 to 2003. 9 of them name the 1997 model year.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1997 Thomas MVP open?

No. The 1 investigation that names this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.