Recall 10V487 covers 6 2010-2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx and Mvp-Ef buses for a driver-seat weld defect. Repair is free at authorized service facilities.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 6 2010-2011 Hdx and Mvp-Ef non-school buses because a weld on the Stabilus Bloc-O-Lift driver-seat shock body can break. If the seat drops without warning, the driver can briefly lose steering control and face higher crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver seat in affected 2010-2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx and Mvp-Ef buses uses a Stabilus Bloc-O-Lift seat shock. That shock helps support the seat and control its movement so the driver seat stays stable while the bus is in use.
On these buses, the weld that holds the mounting tab to the shock body was not made correctly. The mounting tab is the attachment point that ties the shock to the seat structure. If the weld breaks, the shock no longer stays secured at that point, and the driver seat loses part of the support the shock is supposed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver is not told to expect a light, sound, smell, or change in seat feel before the weld breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers Hdx and Mvp-Ef buses across the 2010 and 2011 model years, with the seat assembly listed for each.
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | seat assembly |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Mvp-Ef | seat assembly |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 6 |
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?
If the seat drops unexpectedly, the driver can lose steering control for a moment, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before the seat drops, so arrange the recall repair soon and keep the bus out of service if the seat does not stay locked in position. Repair will be free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx or Mvp-Ef bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Thomas Built Buses customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to confirm the authorized service facility for recall number 10V487.
- Schedule the free driver-seat repair that fixes the Stabilus BLOC-O-LIFT weld so the seat does not drop unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and give the service desk recall number 10V487 when you call.
- Avoid putting the bus in service until the driver-seat repair is complete if the seat drops, shifts, or will not stay in position.
What happens at the repair
An authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility handles the recall work at no charge. The defect involves the Stabilus Bloc-O-Lift driver seat shock, where the weld holding the mounting tab to the shock body was improper and can break. The source remedy does not name a specific replacement part or inspection step, so ask the service desk to confirm the seat repair procedure tied to recall 10V487 when you schedule. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| October 14, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 24, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V487?
Recall 10V487 covers 6 2010-2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx and Mvp-Ef non-school buses with Stabilus Bloc-O-Lift driver seats. The weld holding the mounting tab to the shock body was improperly welded and can break. Authorized Thomas Built Buses service facilities perform the repair for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx or Mvp-Ef is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V487. If it is, contact an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility to schedule the driver-seat repair. Reference recall number 10V487 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Daimler Trucks said authorized Thomas Built Buses service facilities will perform this recall repair free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sudden driver-seat drop. If the seat drops while the bus is being driven, the driver can briefly lose steering control, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free repair through an authorized Thomas Built Buses service facility.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the seat drops. The recall says the seat can drop unexpectedly because the weld holding the mounting tab to the shock body can break. Treat VIN confirmation as the deciding step instead of waiting for a symptom.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V487000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V487 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V487000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →