2002 Thomas MVP Ef recalls

There are 9 safety recalls on record for the 2002 Thomas MVP Ef, covering 328,835 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

All recalls

Structure: body: door: hinge and attachmentsReported February 26, 2008 · 243,435 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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 thomas built at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 08V087000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported November 29, 2007 · 33,303 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain 2001 through 2008 thomas built fs-56, er, mvp er, hdx, and mvp ef school buses manufactured from october 23, 2000, through january 24, 2006, equipped with tyco pc board and type ii auto reset circuit breakers. Type ii auto reset circuit breaker temperatures may exceed the rating of the tyco pc board causing the boards to melt potentially resulting in a vehicle fire.
Risk: A vehicle fire can occur possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy: Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses by replacing the type ii auto reset circuit breakers with manual circuit breakers, and the jumper cable. The recall began on march 28, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built customer support office at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 07V544000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported March 27, 2007 · 11,265 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 07V142000 · Recall details

Other: school bus stop arm assemblyReported August 3, 2005 · 5,954 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.
Risk: Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.
Remedy: For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, thomas built is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses operated in the warmer states, dealers will replace the switch upon owner request. For those customers who request the remedy, thomas built will replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected. The recall began on september 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 05V347000 · Recall details

Other: school bus stop arm assemblyReported July 25, 2005 · 13,583 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between january 8, 2002, and march 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.
Risk: Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.
Remedy: Thomas built will notify its owners and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free of charge. The recall began on september 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 05V340000 · Recall details

Fuel system, dieselReported April 27, 2005 · 16,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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 transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 05V205000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported April 1, 2005 · 4,819 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain 2001-2004 my thomas built mvp-ef, er transit, mvp-er, hd, and hdx school buses manufactured between september 24, 2000, and march 4, 2004. The tie rod assembly can fracture and fail, possibly resulting in complete separation.
Risk: Tie rod failure can possibly result in complete wheel separation and a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy: Thomas built will notify its customers and will replace the tie rod assembly free of charge. The recall began september 6, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built at (we do not yet have a telephone number).

Recall number 05V137000 · Recall details

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported June 2, 2003 · 461 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain thomas school buses, the alternator cable can pinch between the air conditioning compressor and engine block.
Risk: 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

Recall number 03V205000 · Recall details

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studsReported August 6, 2002 · 15 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain school and transit buses, the wheel lug nut may not tighten completely.
Risk: The wheel could loosen increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install new wheel studs. Owner notification began february 28, 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.

Recall number 02V221000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2002 Thomas MVP Ef recalls

How do I check if my 2002 Thomas MVP Ef has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the 2002 Thomas MVP Ef have?

9, covering structure, electrical system and seat belts.

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