2004 Starcraft Starlite problems

Defect

Starcraft Bus (Starcraft) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Allstar, Starquest, Starlite, and Ultrastar commercial buses manufactured January 1, 2002, to September 30, 2007. The affected vehicles, when loaded with passengers and fuel, may exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

If the buses are loaded beyond the GVWR rating on the certification label, the vehicle could have poor handling, tire or suspension failure, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Starcraft will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised certification label based on corrected axle and wheel calculations or dealers will remove seats from buses that cannot support additional weight beyond the GVWR on the existing label. This work will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Starcraft customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Starcraft's number for this recall is 05-06242015-0058.

Defect

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE REAR DOOR IS NOT LABELED CORRECTLY TO IDENTIFY THAT IT IS AN EMERGENCY EXIT AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPENING THE DOOR ARE NOT AFFIXED TO THE DOOR.

Consequence

IF THE OPERATION OF THE EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR IS NOT UNDERSTOOD, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL AN EMERGENCY EXIT SIGN ABOVE THE REAR DOOR. INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPENING THE DOOR WILL BE MOUNTED NEAR THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARCRAFT AT 1-800-348-7440.

Defect

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

SURE-LOK IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR STARCRAFT AT 574-533-1105.

Defect

CERTAIN BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT ENABLE SWITCH IS TURNED ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR.

Consequence

IF THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON, THERE WILL BE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO INDICATE TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MAIN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BOARD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 3, 2004. 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 STARCRAFT AT 1-800-348-7440, EXT. 312.