2007 Starcraft ALLSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-06-21 (June 21, 2010)

STARCRAFT BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 ALLSTAR SHUTTLE BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 18, 2009 AND FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: STARCRAFT IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE PERFORMING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR STARCRFT BUS AT 1-800-348-7440.

Reported: 2010-06-21 (June 21, 2010)

STARCRAFT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 ALLSTAR SHUTTLE BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Consequence: WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy: STARCRAFT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR STARCRAFT AT 1-800-348-7440.

Reported: 2011-12-01 (December 1, 2011)

STARCRAFT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: STARCRAFT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-348-7440.

Reported: 2012-06-22 (June 22, 2012)

STARCRAFT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN CENTURY-2 AND/OR VISTA-2 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.

Consequence: A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIR’S OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.

Remedy: STARCRAFT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARCRAFT BUS AT 1-800-347-7440.

Reported: 2013-05-14 (May 14, 2013)

Starcraft Bus is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Allstar buses manufactured November 2006, through July 2012. The affected buses are equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which may have an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn't clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover.

Consequence: If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, then a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.

Remedy: Starcraft will notify owners and direct them to contact Ricon. Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit with instructions, free of charge. The recall began during June 2013. Owners may contact Starcraft at 1-800-348-7440 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000. Starcraft's recall campaign number is 12E-017.

Reported: 2015-05-20 (May 20, 2015)

Starcraft Bus (Starcraft) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Allstar, Starlite, Starquest, and Senator II transit buses manufactured June 20, 2006, to February 17, 2015 and built on a GM chassis. The affected vehicles are equipped with Trans-Air add-on compressor mount kits, part numbers 4012506-01, 4012506-02, 4013126-01, 4013126-02, 4013235-01, 4013235-02, 4012909, 4013125, 4013222 and 717173 installed by Trans-Air personnel. After installing a compressor, a power distribution terminal strip may not have been properly reconnected.

Consequence: If the power distribution terminal strip has a poor connection or a loose connection, the strip may arc or overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Starcraft will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power distribution terminal strip connection, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 17, 2015. Owners may contact Starcraft customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Starcraft's number for this recall is 15V-213.

Reported: 2015-07-13 (July 13, 2015)

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.