Vehicle recall 02V085000 · March 20, 2002
Thomas MVP ER and Thomas Built Buses MVP ER
On certain school buses, misalignment of the fan drive system components can cause premature belt and pulley bearing wear.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- On certain school buses, misalignment of the fan drive system components can cause premature belt and pulley bearing wear.
- Consequence
- If the school bus is disabled by a cooling system failure and is stalled on the side of the road, an increased risk of a crash resulting in injury to a school bus occupant could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fan belt, idler pulley, and belt tensioner and the pulley's laser will be aligned. Owner notification began June 10, 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 freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
- Notes
- Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 02V085000
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 20, 2002
- Filed by
- FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
- Manufacturer campaign
- VON 49
- Owner notification
- June 10, 2002
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 4,800
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Thomas MVP ER (1996-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
- Thomas Built Buses MVP ER (1995): 1995
Has your Thomas been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Thomas dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.