Vehicle recall 97V077000 · May 9, 1997
Carpenter Classic and Counselor
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. 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.
- Notes
- Owner notification:owner notification is expected to begin may 28, 1997. Notes:owners who do not receive the modification instructions within a reasonable time should contact carpenter at 1-317-965-4000.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V077000
- Reported to NHTSA
- May 9, 1997
- Filed by
- CARPENTER INDUSTRIES, INC.
- Owner notification
- June 9, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 4,037
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
- Components
- Visibility › Windshield
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Carpenter Classic (1995-1997): 1997, 1996, 1995
- Carpenter Counselor (1995-1997): 1997, 1996, 1995
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.
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.