- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This can result in deformation of the plastic connectors that connect the headlight switch to its wiring harness.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Thomas MVP Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1996 Thomas MVP have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 12 recalls, the latest in June 2000 for the switch.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical MVP year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1996 Thomas MVP recalls 12
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with a detailed repair procedure and free parts.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with a warning label and installation instructions.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- If the accelerator pedal catches on the floor mat, engine overspeed could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal mounting bracket to raise the accelerator so the pedal does not catch on the floor mat.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will add a reinforcement to the bracket, or if the bracket is deformed and/or broken, the entire seat base will be replaced.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: school buses. The flip seats installed on these buses do not meet the rearward push requirements of fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection."
- The risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected increasing the risk of personal injury.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. If an owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with in-line six engine,"s" type frame rails and side mounted battery box. The battery cable routing allows the positive cable to chafe resulting in a possible short circuit of the cable.
- The risk
- If an electrical short occurs, it can cause loss of power to the vehicle and a possible vehicle fire.
- The fix
- Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures to secure the cable to prevent further damage. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: school and transit buses equipped with cummins 6b engines and delco alternators. The battery cable routing allows the cable to contact the exhaust manifold.
- The risk
- If the cable contacts the exhaust manifold, the engine could stall and an electrical short can cause a vehicle fire.
- The fix
- Thomas built will provide owners with repair parts and detailed repair procedures. If the owner so desires, thomas built will perform the repair for them.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with isringhausen seats in the driver position. Two welds located on the back rest adjustment side of the seat frame did not meet the manufacturer's specifications.
- The risk
- If these welds were not to specification, back rest loads could cause the welds to fail. The back rest would disengage from the seat frame allowing loss of support to the driver's torso and possibly causing loss of control of the vehicle.
- The fix
- Isringhausen is conducting the owner notification and remedy campaign for this recall. Dealers will inspect these seats and replace the seat frame assembly.
- The problem
- An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught on the fateners that secure the handrail support to the handrail.
- The risk
- If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- The existing 1" bolts that secure the handrail support will be replaced with 1/2" bolts.
- The problem
- An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught in the area between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket.
- The risk
- If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- A molded cover will be installed between the manually operated outward opening entrance door and the door control rod attaching bracket which will eliminate the opening that could allow an item of a child's clothing to become snagged.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1996 Thomas MVP yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Thomas MVP: every year compared
All MVP years1996 Thomas MVP vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Thomas MVP | 0 | 12 | F | |
| 1996 Thomas School Bus | 2 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1996 Thomas MVP EF | 1 | 4 | B | Compare |
| 1996 Thomas ER Model | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1996 Thomas Thomas | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Thomas MVP
Does the 1996 Thomas MVP have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 1996 Thomas MVP: switch (June 2000); rear (February 2000); labels (July 1999); accelerator pedal (July 1999) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1996 Thomas MVP had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1996 Thomas MVP a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 2 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Thomas MVP year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1996 Thomas MVP has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data