Recall 10V396 affects 1,117 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef school buses for megafuse corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 1,117 2009-2011 Mvp-Ef school buses because road splash can corrode cable connections in the megafuse junction box. Severe corrosion can cut power and cause unexpected engine shutdown or loss of lighting and windshield wipers, which can increase crash risk in certain traffic conditions; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Megafuse junction box on 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef school buses is an electrical distribution point for high-current power cables. It helps route battery power to major systems that keep the engine running, the exterior lights on, and the windshield wipers working. Those cable connections need to stay clean and tight so power flow does not drop out.
On affected buses, the junction box sits in an area exposed to heavy road splash and spray. Water, salt, and road grime reach the cable connections and cause corrosion. As corrosion builds, the metal connection weakens. In severe cases, a power cable separates from the power source, which can shut the engine off without warning or cut power to lighting and wipers.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver first notices the problem when the engine shuts down or the lights or wipers stop working.
Who's affected?
This is a single-model bus scope spanning the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, with engine and engine-cooling listed for each year.
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 1,117 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected engine shutdown, or loss of vehicle lighting and windshield wipers in traffic, raises the risk of a crash. If the bus loses power, lights, or wipers, move out of traffic when safe and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to ask about the free mega fuse junction block and electrical box replacement that fixes the corrosion-prone power connections.
- Reference recall number 10V396 when you call, and have the VIN ready.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one.
- Avoid driving in heavy road splash until the dealer confirms the repair is complete, since corrosion at the junction box can lead to engine shutdown or loss of lighting and wipers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician replaces the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box. Those parts sit in the electrical power path, so the repair focuses on the junction point and enclosure named in campaign 10V396. The dealer repair will be free once available. The recall began on December 13, 2010. Call the Thomas Built Buses service department with your VIN and ask whether the replacement parts are ready for your bus. Do not pay for the recall repair itself.
Timeline
| September 3, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 13, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V396?
Recall 10V396 covers 1,117 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef school buses with a Mega Fuse junction box exposed to road splash. Corrosion can separate a power cable from its power source, causing engine shutdown or loss of lighting and windshield wipers. The dealer repair is free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V396. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule replacement of the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box. Reference recall number 10V396 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. The remedy for recall 10V396 replaces the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box free of charge at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine shutdown or loss of vehicle lighting and windshield wipers. In certain traffic conditions, that increases crash risk. NHTSA campaign 10V396 ties the risk to corrosion at the Mega Fuse junction box power-cable connections.
When did the recall repair start?
The safety recall began on December 13, 2010. If your bus still has an open recall, a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer can replace the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box. You can also call 1-800-547-0712 with the recall number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V396000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V396 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V396000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →