1997 Spartan Sb2142 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V216000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufacturer Campaign Number: SPEC 00003
Manufactured Begin Date: May 15th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: July 21st, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: August 28th, 2000

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE CARPENTER SCHOOL BUSES WITH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE TRACK BAR MOUNT, MOUNTING BOLTS, AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LOOSEN WHICH COULD ALLOW SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS. THE SPRING BEAM COULD ALSO FRACTURE.

Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD AFFECT THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE. STIFFENING GUSSETS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO EXISTING FRAME CROSS-MEMBERS AND THE TO STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKET.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V008000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 98060-01
Manufactured Begin Date: May 15th, 1995
Manufactured End Date: July 21st, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: June 18th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CARPENTER FRONT ENGINE, SPRING SUSPENSION SCHOOL BUSES. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE FRONT SPRING HANGER MOUNTING BOLTS AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS.

Consequence Summary:
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE FRONT AXLE TO MOVE AFFECTING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL ADD THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).