NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Carpenter School Bus Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Carpenter School Bus has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Carpenter dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Carpenter School Bus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1996 Carpenter School Bus owner complaints
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Carpenter School Bus, describing incidents dated July 12, 1999.
Most-cited components
- Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Newest complaints
ODI #549380 · Filed
DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH
ODI #549379 · Filed
DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH
ODI #549365 · Filed
DESIGN LOCATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE IS CAUSING CHAFFING AGAINST THE HOUSEING RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKING TO THE FOLLOR. YH
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Carpenter School Bus in 5 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE98-036: CRACKING OF ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Closed December 16, 1998
- Engineering Analysis EA98-020: INADEQUATE WELDING QUALITY CONTROL SEATS
Closed December 3, 1998
- Preliminary Evaluation PE98-019: UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES
Closed September 21, 1998
- Preliminary Evaluation PE98-027: INADEQUATE WELDING PASSENGER SEAT
Closed August 31, 1998
- Preliminary Evaluation PE97-030: MISSING SIDE-WINDOW STOPS
Closed September 30, 1997
Unknown or Other
Reported March 12, 1996 · CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 4,361 vehicles
Owners notified March 11, 1996 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
INSERT A BLOCK BETWEEN THE LOWER HANDRAIL MOUNT AND THE BUS SIDEWALL TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT.
Notes
SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRYWAYS. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: HANDRAILS ON WAYNE CORPORATION AND CARPENTER BODY WORKS SCHOOL BUSES.NOTE: CARPENTER MANUFACTURING IS CORRECTING SCHOOL BUSES OWNED BY WAYNE CORPORATION AND CARPENTER BODY WORKS BECAUSE THESE COMPANIES HAVE GONE OUTOF BUSINESS.NOTE: OWNERS WHO HAVE THESE BUSES CAN CONTACT CARPENTER MANUFACTURING TO OBTAIN HANDRAIL CORRECTIONS. PLEASE CONTACT CARPENTER AT 1-317-966-8339.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Check your 1996 Carpenter School Bus VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Carpenter School Bus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Carpenter VIN