Vehicle recall 00V207000 · August 3, 2000

Carpenter Cadet, Classic and 2 more models

Vehicle description: school buses.

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

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.
Notes: Owner notification began September 4, 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 carpenter AT1-765-965-4000.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 00V207000
Reported to NHTSA: August 3, 2000
Filed by: CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Owner notification: September 4, 2000
Vehicles potentially affected: 3,205
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Seats

Recall 00V207000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Carpenter Cadet (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
Carpenter Classic (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
Carpenter Classmate (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
Carpenter Counselor (1996-1997): 1997, 1996

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.