Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorRecall 14V-018 · Starcraft vehicles

Starcraft Bus recall 14V-018 covers 1,954 Starcraft vehicles for a electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator problem, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2014. The manufacturer's latest report (2015 Q2) shows 6% of affected vehicles repaired.

6%
Vehicles repaired108 of 1,954 · 2015 Q2
Vehicles affected1,9547 models
ReportedJan 27, 2014Owners notified Feb 19, 2014
Complaints since0Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 14V018000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.

What's wrong

The problem

Starcraft Bus is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Allstar XL, Ultrastar, Allstar, Starlite, Starquest, Xpress, Prodigy, Quest, and Allstar MVP transit buses built on Ford cutaway chassis equipped with Ford 5.4L or 6.8L engines and Trans/Air-brand air compressors. In the affected vehicles, depending on the routing of the alternator harness, and the orientation of the heater hose spring clamp at the front of the intake manifold, the alternator harness may be pinched between the spring clamp and the air conditioner compressor mounting bracket.

The risk

The charging system may fail which could lead to the vehicle stalling while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the spring clamp could pierce both the positive and negative wires of the alternator harness creating a short circuit which could result in a fire.

What to do

The fix

Starcraft Bus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles, correct the clamp installation and repair and reroute the alternator harness, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2014. Customers may contact Starcraft at 1-800-347-7440.

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.

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Repair progress

How fast cars are being fixed

6%repaired

Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.

0%50%100%2015 Q12015 Q2
Background

The investigation behind this recall

  1. Compressor Mount Kit May Short CircuitEQ14001 · closed Mar 13, 2014
    NHTSA