Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp
Manufacturer
CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Vehicles affected
35
Reported to NHTSA
1998-10-20
Owners notified
1999-03-19
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CAN OCCUR AND THE WARNING SYSTEM WOULD NOT WARN THE DRIVER OF A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM.
Manufacturer 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. SIDE EMERGENCY PUSH-OUT WINDOWS MAY NOT OPEN PROPERLY DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH EXTERIOR BOW CAP. EMERGENCY DOOR(S) MAY NOT HAVE REQUIRED OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS LOCATED ADJACENT TO INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
Safety risk
EXIT WINDOWS MAY NOT OPEN PROPERLY DURING AN EMERGENCY.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MODIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS OR IF THEY SO DESIRE, CAN CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Safety 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 IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
CARPENTER IS SENDING CORRECTIVE PARTS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLT IS NOT THE SPECIFIED 7/16-20UNF-2A. THESE ANCHORAGES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Safety risk
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FOR THE PROPER FASTENERS AND WILL REPLACE ATTACHMENT HARDWARE THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.