U.S. public vehicle records

Thomas MVP EF problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

7 owner complaints analyzed

24 distinct recall campaigns

83,668 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2008 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	3	42.9%
Braking behavior	2	28.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Structure:Body:Bumpers

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint

Structure:Frame And Members

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	2
Structure:Body:Bumpers	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	1
Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint	1
Structure:Frame And Members	1

Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Structure:Body:Bumpers: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1998

2000

2006

2007

1998: 1; 2000: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10149298 · 2006-02-02 (February 2, 2006)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149298 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149299 · 2006-02-02 (February 2, 2006)

Owner-reported narrative. 91,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149299 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 861106 · 2000-04-28 (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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861106 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 861108 · 2000-04-28 (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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861108 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

1994: 3; 1995: 4; 1996: 4; 1997: 6; 1998: 8; 1999: 10; 2000: 11; 2001: 10; 2002: 9; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 4

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Thomas MVP EF model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1994	0	3	Not available
1995	0	4	+1
1996	1	4	0
1997	2	6	+2
1998	3	8	+2
1999	0	10	+2
2000	0	11	+1
2001	0	10	-1
2002	0	9	-1
2003	0	6	-3
2004	1	6	0
2005	0	5	-1
2006	0	4	-1
2007	0	4	0
2008	0	4	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

57.1%Usable mileage4 / 7 records

100.0%Valid incident date7 / 7 records

100.0%Valid filing date7 / 7 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 7 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	3100.0% ODI 10149298 · 97,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10149298 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 861106 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 Look up ODI 861106 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body:Bumpers	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 861106 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 Look up ODI 861106 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 533677 UNIVERSAL JOINTS FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. Look up ODI 533677 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly	Too few reports for a range	91,878 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10149298 · 97,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10149298 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149299 · 91,878 mi 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. Look up ODI 10149299 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149300 · 75,458 mi 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. Look up ODI 10149300 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	Too few reports for a range	74,659 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	Too few reports for a range	74,659 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Structure:Body:Bumpers	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint	Structure:Frame And Members
Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly	—	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0	—	2 ODI 861106 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 Look up ODI 861106 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 861108 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 Look up ODI 861108 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Structure:Body:Bumpers	0	2 ODI 861106 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 Look up ODI 861106 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 861108 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 Look up ODI 861108 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint	0	0	0	0	—	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	1 ODI 10186403 · 74,659 mi PRE-2005 THOMAS 84 PASSENGER EF SCHOOL BUSES, WITH CAT C7 ENGINES/MD-3060 TRANSMISSIONS. FAILURE OF RIGHT/REAR ENGINE MOUNT CAUSES ENGINE TO REST IN RIGHT FRAME RAIL, SUPPORTED BY ALTERNATOR, WITH ENGINE FAN COMING IN CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SCHROUD. POST-2005 BUSES CAME WITH A REINFORCED MOUNT (REF: THOMAS CHASSIS INDEX'22, BULLETIN11R). FORMAL REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO THOMAS (VIA AUTO SAFETY HOUSE) TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED UNITS WITH UPGRADED PARTS. *JB Look up ODI 10186403 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.