- 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
1998 Thomas MVP Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1998 Thomas MVP have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 7 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
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1998 Thomas MVP recalls 7
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. 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.
- The risk
- Disengagement of the shock(s) could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with repair parts and detailed repair procedures.
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1998 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 years1998 Thomas MVP vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Thomas MVP | 0 | 7 | F | |
| 1998 Thomas School Bus | 5 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Thomas MVP EF | 3 | 8 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Thomas Thomas | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Thomas Bus | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner | 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 1998 Thomas MVP
Does the 1998 Thomas MVP have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Thomas MVP had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1998 Thomas MVP a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 5 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 1998 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