2004 Starcraft STARQUEST: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-01-10 (January 10, 2005)

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.

Reported: 2006-12-01 (December 1, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT VERTICAL SUPPORT ARMS WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED.

Consequence: DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE BUSES OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED (PLEASE SEE 06E008). OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARCRAFT BUS AT 800-348-7440 OR RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.

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.