RoadVitals

1997 Carpenter Counselor

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Aug 3, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Carpenter Counselor. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V207000

SEATS

Aug 3, 2000
3,205 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: CARPENTER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. DEALERS WERE TO REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL STEEL REINFORCEMENT.
CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V262000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

Oct 20, 1998
35 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAN OCCUR AND THE WARNING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WARN THE DRIVER OF A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM.
The 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.
CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V238000

SEATS

Sep 28, 1998
3,255 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE BACK PANEL OF THE PASSENGER SEATS WAS NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: CARPENTER WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH DETAILED INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPAIR THESE SEATS.
CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Carpenter Counselor by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998010—
1997Viewing040—
1996050—
1995160—
1994030—
1993020—
1992020—
1991020—
1990010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.