Recall 10V397 affects 66 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef buses for corroded Mega Fuse connections. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 66 2009-2011 Mvp-Ef non-school buses because the MegaFuse junction box is exposed to road splash that corrodes cable connections. If corrosion separates a power cable, the bus can lose engine power, lighting, or windshield wipers in traffic, raising crash risk; 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 buses is a high-current electrical connection point. It helps route power from the main power source to systems that keep the engine running, the exterior lighting working, and the windshield wipers powered.
On affected buses, that junction box sits where road splash and spray reach the cable connections. Water and road debris corrode the connections faster than intended. If the corrosion gets severe enough, a power cable separates from the power source, which leads to unexpected engine shutdown or loss of vehicle lighting and windshield wipers.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is the failure itself, such as the engine shutting down, lights going out, or the wipers stopping when the bus still needs those systems.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Mvp-Ef model years, all tied to engine and engine cooling.
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 66 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected engine shutdown, or loss of vehicle lighting and windshield wipers in traffic, creates a crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before the failure. If the bus stalls or loses lighting or wipers, pull over where safe and arrange service. 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 for current repair status before regular bus service.
- Ask about the free mega fuse junction block and electrical box replacement that protects the power-cable connections from corrosion-related shutdown, lighting loss, and wiper loss.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 10V397 when you call.
- Avoid regular service trips until the dealer confirms the repair path for your bus.
What happens at the repair
The recall remedy calls for a Thomas Built Buses technician to replace the mega fuse junction block and the electrical box. That work addresses the corroded cable connection area exposed to road splash, where power can separate from the source. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the vehicle is included before arranging the repair.
Timeline
| September 3, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 13, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V397?
Recall 10V397 covers 66 2009-2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef non-school buses with a Mega Fuse junction box exposed to road splash and spray. Corrosion can separate a power cable, 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 10V397. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box replacement. Reference recall number 10V397 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Thomas Built Buses will replace the Mega Fuse junction block and electrical box free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine shutdown or loss of vehicle lighting and windshield wipers. In traffic, that loss can increase crash risk because the driver loses power or visibility-related equipment needed to keep the bus under control.
Who should I contact about recall 10V397?
Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer and reference recall number 10V397. The manufacturer also listed 1-800-547-0712 for owner questions about this recall. Have the VIN ready so the service desk can confirm the bus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V397000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V397 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V397000 |
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 →