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2002 Thomas MVP EF recalls

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

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

For the 2002 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.

2002 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

November 29, 2007NHTSA 07V54400033,303 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

Summary
Certain 2001 through 2008 thomas built FS-56, er, mvp er, hdx, and mvp ef school buses manufactured from October 23, 2000, through January 24, 2006, equipped with tyco pc board and type II auto reset circuit breakers. Type II auto reset circuit breaker temperatures may exceed the rating of the tyco pc board causing the boards to melt potentially resulting in a vehicle fire.
Consequence
A vehicle fire can occur possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses by replacing the type II auto reset circuit breakers with manual circuit breakers, and the jumper cable. The recall began on March 28, 2008. Owners may contact thomas built customer support office 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

August 3, 2005NHTSA 05V3470005,954 vehicles potentially affected

Other › School bus stop arm assembly

Summary
Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between January 8, 2002, and March 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in states other than the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.
Consequence
Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.
Remedy
For those buses operated in or near any of the states listed above, thomas built is encouraging the bus owners to obtain the replacement switch. For those buses operated in the warmer states, dealers will replace the switch upon owner request. For those customers who request the remedy, thomas built will replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected. The recall began on September 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336-889-4871.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 25, 2005NHTSA 05V34000013,583 vehicles potentially affected

Other › School bus stop arm assembly

Summary
Certain 2002-2005 my thomas built minotour, conventional, mvp-er, er, hdx, and mvp-ef model school buses manufactured between January 8, 2002, and March 8, 2005, equipped with specialty mfg "5" series stop arms originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new jersey, new mexico, new york, north dakota, ohio, oregon, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, washington, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia. In extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the stop arm sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.
Consequence
Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify its owners and replace the original switch with a switch pack that is not sensitive to extreme cold weather and will inspect to ensure the microswitch heater wiring is properly connected free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built's customer support office at 336-889-4871.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 27, 2005NHTSA 05V20500016,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, diesel

Summary
Certain 1998-2003 my freightliner FS-65 school bus chassis and MB-45, MB-55, and xb shuttle bus chassis, and thomas built bus: mvp-er and mvp-ef school bus and non-school bus models equipped with cummins isb diesel engines and equipped with federal-mogal 12 and 24 volt fuel lift pumps. The fuel pump could fail to transfer fuel appropriately creating an engine stall condition.
Consequence
Should the engine stall while the vehicle is in use, a possible vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Cummins will notify the customers of freightliner and thomas built and replace the fuel lift pump free of charge. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 1, 2005NHTSA 05V1370004,819 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Summary
Certain 2001-2004 my thomas built mvp-ef, er transit, mvp-er, hd, and hdx school buses manufactured between September 24, 2000, and March 4, 2004. The tie rod assembly can fracture and fail, possibly resulting in complete separation.
Consequence
Tie rod failure can possibly result in complete wheel separation and a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Thomas built will notify its customers and will replace the tie rod assembly free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2005. Owners may contact thomas built at (we do not yet have a telephone number).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 2, 2003NHTSA 03V205000461 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

Summary
On certain thomas school buses, the alternator cable can pinch between the air conditioning compressor and engine block.
Consequence
This can result in damage to wire insulation and potentially cause a short circuit.
Remedy
Dealers will re-route the cable. Owner notification began July 28, 2003. 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/thomas built at

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 6, 2002NHTSA 02V22100015 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Summary
On certain school and transit buses, the wheel lug nut may not tighten completely.
Consequence
The wheel could loosen increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will install new wheel studs. Owner notification began February 28, 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

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 2002 Thomas MVP EF were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Thomas MVP EF years

Other 2002 Thomas models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

  1. 2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
  2. 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
  3. 2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
  4. 2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
  5. 2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 Thomas MVP EF have any recalls?
9 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: structure, electrical system, seat belts, other, fuel system, diesel, steering. 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 2002 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 2002 Thomas MVP EF?
0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.