Does the 1996 Carpenter Counselor have any recalls?

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seats, service brakes, hydraulic, visibility, structure. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1996 Carpenter Counselor recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Carpenter dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Carpenter Counselor?

0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1996 Carpenter Counselor recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Carpenter Counselor. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Carpenter been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Carpenter dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1996 Carpenter Counselor recalls, newest first

August 3, 2000NHTSA 00V2070003,205 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: Vehicle description: school buses. Additional reinforcement bars were installed while performing a previous seat recall (98V-238). These bars were installed into the protection zone on the back of the seats.
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected and personal injury could occur.
Remedy: Carpenter has gone out of business. Dealers were to remove the additional steel reinforcement.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 20, 1998NHTSA 98V26200035 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Brake fluid low warning › Lamp

Summary: 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.
Consequence: A brake system malfunction can occur and the warning system would not warn the driver of a brake system problem.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 28, 1998NHTSA 98V2380003,255 vehicles potentially affected

Seats

Summary: Vehicle description: school buses. The back panel of the passenger seats was not adequately welded.
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected and personal injury could occur.
Remedy: Carpenter will provide owners with detailed inspection instructions and provide them with the necessary parts to repair these seats.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 9, 1997NHTSA 97V0770004,037 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Windshield

Summary: 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."
Consequence: Exit windows may not open properly during an emergency.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with modification instructions or if they so desire, can contact an authorized dealer for assistance.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 7, 1996NHTSA 96V0970003,382 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: Vehicle description: school buses. Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.
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 in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Carpenter is sending corrective parts to owners along with installation instructions.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 1996 Carpenter Counselor were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Carpenter Counselor years

Other 1996 Carpenter models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Carpenter Counselor have any recalls?: 5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seats, service brakes, hydraulic, visibility, structure. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Carpenter Counselor recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Carpenter dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Carpenter Counselor?: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.