The problem
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."
The risk
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.
The fix
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.
Contacts
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Starcraft dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 15V445000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.