Recall 12V268 affects 61 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite buses for roof hatches that require too much opening force. Repair is free at any franchised Starcraft dealer.
Starcraft recalled 61 2011-2012 Starlite shuttle buses equipped with SMI Prolo roof hatches because excess friction can make the emergency roof hatch harder to open than federal bus-exit rules allow. In an emergency, that added opening force can slow exit and raise injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The roof hatch on 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite buses is an emergency exit built into the bus roof. It is supposed to open when pushed, giving passengers another way out if a door or window exit is blocked. The hatch has rear plate assemblies and a nylon rear pop-up support that guide and hold the hatch as it opens.
On affected buses, those rear plate assemblies create too much friction against the nylon rear pop-up support. That extra drag raises the force needed to open the Prolo roof hatch above the federal requirement for bus emergency exits under Standard 217. In an emergency, a hatch that takes too much force to open can slow the exit path for passengers.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the opening force of the hatch itself, so an owner or driver would need to have the hatch inspected or tested rather than waiting for a dashboard light, sound, or driving symptom.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same body structure component.
| 2012 Starcraft Starlite | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2011 Starcraft Starlite | body structure |
| Units affected | 61 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If an emergency evacuation is needed, the defect can slow or block people leaving the bus, which increases injury risk for occupants. Use the bus with caution and schedule the recall work through the dealer as soon as the repair path is open. Repair will be free at any franchised Starcraft dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite is included in this recall.
- Contact Starcraft customer service at 1-800-347-7440 for current repair instructions.
- Ask a franchised Starcraft dealer about the free SMI roof-hatch service kit that reduces opening force so the emergency exits release as required.
- Bring any recall notice you have, and reference recall number 12V268 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Starcraft technician uses the SMI service kit and repair instructions for the Prolo roof hatches. The work addresses the rear plate assemblies and nylon rear pop-up support so the emergency roof hatch opening force meets the safety standard. The recall materials identify the service kit and repair instructions as free of charge, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| June 8, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 11, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V268?
Recall 12V268 covers 61 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite shuttle buses equipped with SMI Prolo roof hatches. Excess friction in the rear plate and nylon pop-up support can make the emergency roof hatch harder to open than the federal emergency-exit standard allows.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V268. If it is, contact Starcraft at 1-800-347-7440 or a Starcraft service dealer and reference recall 12V268. The SMI service kit and repair instructions are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy at no cost, and Starcraft's filing says SMI provides the service kits and repair instructions free of charge. Ask the Starcraft service contact or dealer how the kit will be installed on your bus.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is harder emergency exit through the roof hatch. If occupants need to leave the bus after a crash or fire, a roof hatch that takes too much force to open can hinder escape and increase injury risk.
What if I bought this Starcraft Starlite used?
The free recall remedy still follows the bus. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011-2012 Starcraft Starlite is included, even if you never received the original owner notice. Reference recall 12V268 when you call for service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V268000 |
|---|---|
| Starcraft customer service | 1-800-347-7440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V268 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V268000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →