Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator (Thomas and Thomas Built Buses)
Vehicle recall 03V-205. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Jun 2, 2003.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Jun 2, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO WIRE INSULATION AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
ON CERTAIN THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES, THE ALTERNATOR CABLE CAN PINCH BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND ENGINE BLOCK.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 28, 2003. 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 FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT AT
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: FREIGHTLINER/THOMAS BUILT RECALL NO. FL-415.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 461 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Thomas MVP EFand 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses MVP EFand 2003, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.