1998 Thomas Mvp Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V174000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: December 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: July 31st, 2000
Date of Owner Notification: September 8th, 2000

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

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall Notes:
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V041000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1995
Manufactured End Date: August 31st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: May 12th, 2000

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

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

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 12, 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 1-336-881-9986.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V176000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: March 31st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: November 17th, 1999

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

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

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 1999. 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 1-336-841-5992. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V177000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: January 25th, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: August 6th, 1999

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

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

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 6, 1999. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V075000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: November 11th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: September 27th, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: February 11th, 2000

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

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

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 11, 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 1-336-841-5992.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V229000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1996
Manufactured End Date: April 10th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: December 7th, 1998

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

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

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 7, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR BUSES 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 1-336-841-5991.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V054000
Manufacturer: THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1995
Manufactured End Date: February 16th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: September 9th, 1998

Defect Summary:
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 Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 9, 1998.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 1-336-841-5991.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).