The defect
STARCRAFT BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 PRODIGY AND QUEST SCHOOL BUSES AND MFSAB ACTIVITY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 8, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CHALLENGER DOOR REAR EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION ON THE REAR DOOR HANDLE LATCH MECHANISM, THE HANDLE MAY BIND, REQUIRING A GREAT FORCE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR, WHICH WOULD HINDER EGRESS OF THE BUS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy
STARCRAFT BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARCRAFT BUS AT 1-800-348-7440.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Starcraft Prodigy | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Starcraft Quest | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starcraft Prodigy | 2008 | 0 | 5 |
| Starcraft Prodigy | 2009 | 0 | 6 |
| Starcraft Prodigy | 2010 | 0 | 9 |
| Starcraft Prodigy | 2011 | 0 | 8 |
| Starcraft Quest | 2008 | 0 | 5 |
| Starcraft Quest | 2009 | 0 | 6 |
| Starcraft Quest | 2010 | 0 | 10 |
| Starcraft Quest | 2011 | 0 | 8 |
Other latches/locks/linkages recalls in 2011
7 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the latches/locks/linkages; STARCRAFT BUS filed 11 campaigns in all.
| 11V417000 5 Aug 2011 | SNAKE RIVER TRAILER COMPANY |
| 11V397000 3 Aug 2011 | ALTEC INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 11V357000 13 Jul 2011 | E-ONE, INC. |
| 11V334000 24 Jun 2011 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 11V237000 14 Apr 2011 | NEW FLYER OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V214000 1 Apr 2011 | DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011