1998 Thomas MVP: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-02-15 (February 15, 2000)

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: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURE AND FREE PARTS.

Reported: 2000-06-30 (June 30, 2000)

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: THIS CAN RESULT IN DEFORMATION OF THE PLASTIC CONNECTORS THAT CONNECT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO ITS WIRING HARNESS.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 1998-03-12 (March 12, 1998)

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: 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: 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.

Reported: 1998-09-17 (September 17, 1998)

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: 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: DEALERS WILL ADD A REINFORCEMENT TO THE BRACKET, OR IF THE BRACKET IS DEFORMED AND/OR BROKEN, THE ENTIRE SEAT BASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1999-04-12 (April 12, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE MOUNTING BOLT FOR THE UPPER FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET CAN LOOSEN IN SERVICE DUE TO THE OMISSION OF A FRAME REINFORCEMENT FROM THE UPPER SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT. THE LOOSENED BOLT COULD THEN WORK IN THE FRAME RAIL-MOUNTING HOLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN HAIRLINE CRACKING OF THE FRAME RAIL IN THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING AREA AND POSSIBLE FRACTURE OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING EYE AS WELL.

Consequence: DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SHOCK(S) COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR PARTS AND DETAILED REPAIR PROCEDURES.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

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: IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CATCHES ON THE FLOOR MAT, ENGINE OVERSPEED COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET TO RAISE THE ACCELERATOR SO THE PEDAL DOES NOT CATCH ON THE FLOOR MAT.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

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: 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: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A WARNING LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.