Carpenter COUNSELOR recalls by model year

Reported: 1996-06-07 (June 7, 1996) · Model years: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: CARPENTER IS SENDING CORRECTIVE PARTS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Reported: 2000-01-22 (January 22, 2000) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS WITH SIDE EMERGENCY DOORS. THE BODY SIDE POSTS FOR THE EMERGENCY DOOR CAN CRACK.

Consequence: THE EMERGENCY DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: CARPENTER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. OWNERS WERE TO BE PROVIDED WITH FREE PARTS, REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS, AND REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED.

Reported: 1993-09-24 (September 24, 1993) · Model years: 1994

THE SUSPENSION STRUT ROD MOUNTING BOLT CAN INTERFERE WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER.

Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKINGFORCE AND REDUCTION OF BRAKE EFFICIENCY OR THE REAR DISC BRAKES, RESULTING INAN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: ROTATE THE CALIPER SUPPORT BRACKET. THIS WILL MOVE THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY FROM A FRONT-MOUNTED POSITION TO A REAR-MOUNTED POSITION AND PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE MOVEMENT OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER.

Reported: 1995-11-16 (November 16, 1995) · Model years: 1995

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLT IS NOT THE SPECIFIED 7/16-20UNF-2A. THESE ANCHORAGES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FOR THE PROPER FASTENERS AND WILL REPLACE ATTACHMENT HARDWARE THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD.

Reported: 1997-05-09 (May 9, 1997) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. SIDE EMERGENCY PUSH-OUT WINDOWS MAY NOT OPEN PROPERLY DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH EXTERIOR BOW CAP. EMERGENCY DOOR(S) MAY NOT HAVE REQUIRED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS LOCATED ADJACENT TO INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: EXIT WINDOWS MAY NOT OPEN PROPERLY DURING AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MODIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS OR IF THEY SO DESIRE, CAN CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE.

Reported: 1998-09-28 (September 28, 1998) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE BACK PANEL OF THE PASSENGER SEATS WAS NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: CARPENTER WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH DETAILED INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPAIR THESE SEATS.

Reported: 1998-10-20 (October 20, 1998) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON A SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT PROPERLY LABELED AND COULD FUNCTION IMPROPERLY. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES 98V-017 CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 1998. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE NONCOMPLIANCE.

Consequence: A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAN OCCUR AND THE WARNING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WARN THE DRIVER OF A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A CARPENTER DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.

Reported: 2000-08-03 (August 3, 2000) · Model years: 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. ADDITIONAL REINFORCEMENT BARS WERE INSTALLED WHILE PERFORMING A PREVIOUS SEAT RECALL (98V-238). THESE BARS WERE INSTALLED INTO THE PROTECTION ZONE ON THE BACK OF THE SEATS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: CARPENTER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. DEALERS WERE TO REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL STEEL REINFORCEMENT.