CARPENTER SCHOOL BUS 1981: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 83V004000

Make Model Year
CARPENTER SCHOOL BUS 1981
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1983-04-28 1983-01-21 1983-02-01

Production Dates: 1981-05-01 - 1982-06-01

Manufacturers Involved: CARPENTER BDY WRKS, INC.

Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 19

Report Initiator: OVSC OVSC Report

Regulation Part Number: 571

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: 221

Summary

DURING MANUFACTURE, INCONSISTENCIES MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN THE WELDS JOINING FLOOR SECTIONS. CERTAIN WELDED JOINTS MAY HAVE WEAKNESSES AND MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH". IMPROPER WELDS MAY ALLOW SECTIONS OF THE FLOOR TO SEPARATE IN A SEVERE COLLISION.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES AND ANY NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE MADE AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; FLOOR SECTION JOINTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FLOOR SEPARATION DURING A COLLISION MAY INCREASE THEPOTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT EJECTION AND INJURY. NO SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONARY MEASURESARE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. JOINT FAILURE IS SUSPECTED TO OCCUR ONLYDURING SEVERE COLLISIONS.