RoadVitals

1996 Carpenter School Bus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
4
Latest Oct 29, 1999
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.
1
Latest Mar 12, 1996
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.
5
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Carpenter School Bus, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 5 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance4100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

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
96E007000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Mar 12, 1996
4,361 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
The risk: 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 INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: INSERT A BLOCK BETWEEN THE LOWER HANDRAIL MOUNT AND THE BUS SIDEWALL TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT.
CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA98020ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADEQUATE WELDING QUALITY CONTROL SEATS

Opened Aug 31, 1998
Closed Dec 3, 1998
SEATSLed to recall 98V238000
PE98036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRACKING OF ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE

Opened Jun 8, 1998
Closed Dec 16, 1998

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE98027ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADEQUATE WELDING PASSENGER SEAT

Opened Apr 27, 1998
Closed Aug 31, 1998

OPERATORS OF AFFECTED BUSES HAVE ALLEGED TWO ISSUES RELATIVE TO INADEQUATE WELDING QUALITY CONTROL IN THE CONTRUCTION OF THE PASSENGER SEATS:1) SPOT WELD FAILURE BETWEEN THE SEAT BACK PAN (SHEET METAL) AND FRAME; 2) INADEQUATE WELD FINISHING BELOW THE SEAT BENCH RESULTING IN CHILDREN BEING EXPOSED TO SHARP EDGES.

SEATS
PE98019ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES

Opened Mar 31, 1998
Closed Sep 21, 1998

A DIESEL FUEL RETURN LINE IS ALLEGED TO FAIL IN THE UNDERHOOD AREA CAUSING FIRES

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Oct 29, 1999

DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH

NHTSA ID
549380
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 29, 1999

DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH

NHTSA ID
549379
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 29, 1999

DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH

NHTSA ID
549365
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 29, 1999

DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH

NHTSA ID
549360
Incident
Jul 12, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Carpenter School Bus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998001—
1997120334.8
1996Viewing415—
1995202—
1994401—
1993602—
1992501—
1991001—
1990001—
1989101—
1988011—
1987021—
1986001—
1985001—
1983010—
1982020—
1981020—
1977010—

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.