2011 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF: complaints, problems and recalls

CHILD SAFETY CONCERN!! THE SEATS ARE THE ONLY SAFETY BARRIER FOR CHILDREN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT!! BROKEN SEAT BACKS. 13 OUT OF 28 SEATS BROKEN. THE SHEET METAL BACKING IS BREAKING AROUND THE SPOT WELDS WHERE IT IS WELDED TO THE TUBE FRAME. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL BUSES WITH SYNTEC SEATS. HERE IS A LINK TO A VIDEO I CREATED TO SHOW THE ISSUE. IT'S NOT A VIDEO FROM THIS PARTICULAR BUS BUT THIS GIVES AN IDEA OF HOW SEVERE THE ISSUE IS. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PGAIX0AOJVY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 52,077 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628637 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-12-01 (December 1, 2009)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2009. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE SCUFF PLATE AND BECOME STUCK IN FULL THROTTLE POSITION.

Consequence: A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL RAISE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-02-23 (February 23, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SAF-T-LINER C2, HDX, MVP-EF, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2009 THROUGH JANUARY 19, 2010. THE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SEAT CUSHION HINGE TOLERANCE MAY ALLOW THE CUSHION TO SLIP LATERALLY CAUSING THE LATCH STRIKER TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT FRAME. ONCE THE SEAT CUSHION BECOMES UNLATCHED IT CAN BE LIFTED WITH LESS FORCE THAN REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN MANEUVER, THE SEAT CUSHION MAY UNLATCH EXPOSING THE SEAT FRAME TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, , 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-09-03 (September 3, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MVP-EF THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 THROUGH JULY 16, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX IS LOCATED IN AN AREA EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SPLASH AND SPRY. IN SOME APPLICATIONS THE CABLE CONNECTIONS MAY CORRODE RAPIDLY. IF UNDETECTED, EXTREME CORROSION MAY CAUSE A POWER CABLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE POWER SOURCE RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR A LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE MEGA FUSE JUNCTION BLOCK AND ELECTRICAL BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-09-03 (September 3, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MVP-EF NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFCATURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 THROUGH JULY 16, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX. ON AFFECTED VEHICLES THE MEGAFUSE JUNCTION BOX IS LOCATED IN AN AREA EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SPLASH AND SPRY. IN SOME APPLICATIONS THE CABLE CONNECTIONS MAY CORRODE RAPIDLY. IF UNDETECTED, EXTREME CORROSION MAY CAUSE A POWER CABLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE POWER SOURCE RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN OR A LOSS OF VEHICLE LIGHTING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL REPLACE THE MEGA FUSE JUNCTION BLOCK AND ELECTRICAL BOX FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-10-14 (October 14, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF, HDX, AND SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2009, THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH STABILUS BLOC-O-LIFT, P/N 5561ED, DRIVER SEATS. THE WELD WHICH HOLDS THE MOUNTING TAB TO THE SHOCK BODY WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED AND CAN BREAK.

Consequence: THE SEAT COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD CAUSE MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED THOMAS BUILT BUSES SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2010-10-14 (October 14, 2010)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF AND HDX NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2009, THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH STABILUS BLOC-O-LIFT, P/N 5561ED, DRIVER SEATS. THE WELD WHICH HOLDS THE MOUNTING TAB TO THE SHOCK BODY WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED AND CAN BREAK.

Consequence: THE SEAT COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY WITH OUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD CAUSE MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED THOMAS BUILT BUSES SERVICE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 SAF-T-LINER C2, SAF-T-LINER HDX, MVP-EF, FS-65, AND MINOTOR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 SAF-T-LINER HDX, MVP-EF, AND MINOTOR NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 2006, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-09-15 (September 15, 2011)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011- 2012 BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND CORONADO TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.