Skip to content
AnyRecalls

1997 Thomas MVP EF recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Thomas MVP EF. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

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.

1997 Thomas MVP EF recalls, newest first

February 26, 2008NHTSA 08V087000243,435 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments

Summary
Daimler trucks is recalling 243,435 my 1995-2008 thomas built school buses manufactured between January 1994, and March 10, 2008. (additional buses have been added to this recall campaign. Please see supplemental report no. 4) the emergency exit door handle begins corroding around the securing roll pin and square drive mechanism causing the protective finish to chip and flake. Continued corrosion and pitting weakens the handle. Handles weakened by corrosion may break while trying to open the door from the exterior.
Consequence
In the event of an emergency, a person on the outside of the bus may break the door handle trying to open the emergency exit potentially delaying evacuation and increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle's occupants.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and will replace the handles with a more robust handle free of charge. Repairs will be performed by thomas built buses dealerships. The recall began on August 18, 2008, and notification for the revised population is expected to begin on or about April 29, 2009. Owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 27, 2007NHTSA 07V14200011,265 vehicles potentially affected

Seat belts

Summary
Certain my 1994 through 2002 thomas built minotour, FS-65, mvp-ef, er, and hdx-ef school buses manufactured between January 23, 1994, and April 15, 2002. The seat belt may chafe on the edge of a metal bracket and wear prematurely.
Consequence
In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, possibly resulting in personal injury.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify owners and replace any chafed seat belts and replace or modify the retainer strip to prevent any further chafing. The recall began on February 8, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built at 336-889-4871 or contact freightliner at 800-547-0712.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 12, 2001NHTSA 01V37800057 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary
Vehicle description: certain school buses fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release." a third roof hatch must be added to meet the standard requirements. Only vehicles located in the state of washington are involved.
Consequence
In the event of a crash, the bus occupant may not be able to exit the bus quickly.
Remedy
Dealers will install a third roof hatch. Owner notification began may 1, 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 thomas built at 336-889-4871.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 3, 2000NHTSA 00V3620006,500 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary
Vehicle description: certain school buses and transit buses equipped with national seating's series 93B-sb driver seat. A bracket attaching the gas spring shock to the height adjuster of the seat can deform and break. This bracket is located at the top of the height adjuster.
Consequence
If the bracket is not replaced after deforming, and is allowed to break, its breaking will 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 replace the seat base and add reinforcement to the seat assembly

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 7, 2000NHTSA 00V2320114,780 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Antilock

Summary
Vehicle description: school bus chassis and emergency vehicles built with bendix air ABS with an EC-17 1030R electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
Consequence
This condition could cause the ABS ECU to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 7, 2000NHTSA 00V23200235,405 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, air › Antilock

Summary
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis built with bendix air ABS with an EC-17 1030R electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
Consequence
This condition could cause the ABS ECU to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1997 Thomas MVP EF with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. And fittings2
  2. Hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses2
  3. Lines/piping2
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Structure › Body › Bumpers2

Other Thomas MVP EF years

Other 1997 Thomas models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

  1. 1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
  2. 1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
  3. 1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
  4. 1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
  5. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)
All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Thomas MVP EF have any recalls?
6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: structure, seat belts, seats, service brakes, air. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Thomas MVP EF recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Thomas dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Thomas MVP EF?
2 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.