Recall 14V018 affects 1,954 2010-2013 Starcraft Allstar, Quest, Prodigy, Starlite, Starquest, Ultrastar, and Xpress buses for alternator-harness damage. Free repair at any franchised Starcraft dealer.
Starcraft is recalling 1,954 2010-2013 Allstar, Ultrastar, Starquest, Xpress, Starlite, Quest, and Prodigy transit buses because the alternator harness can be pinched near the air conditioner compressor bracket. The charging system can fail and stall the bus while driving, raising crash risk, and a harness short can result in a fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The alternator harness on these 2010-2013 Starcraft transit buses is a bundle of electrical wires that carries power and signals between the alternator and the vehicle electrical system. The alternator keeps the battery charged while the engine runs, so the harness has to stay protected and routed clear of nearby engine parts.
On affected Starcraft buses built on Ford cutaway chassis with the listed Ford engines and Trans/Air air compressors, the harness can sit too close to the front of the intake manifold. If the heater hose spring clamp is turned toward the harness, it can pinch the wiring between the clamp and the air conditioner compressor mounting bracket. That pressure can damage the wire covering and the wiring underneath.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on dashboard lights, noises, or drivability changes to decide whether the alternator harness is safe.
Who's affected?
Spans seven Starcraft bus lines across the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years, all tied to the same electrical-system component.
| 2013 Starcraft Starquest | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Starcraft Xpress | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Xpress | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Ultrastar | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Ultrastar | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Ultrastar | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Starquest | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Starquest | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Starlite | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Quest | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Prodigy | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Prodigy | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Allstar | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Allstar | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Quest | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Quest | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Prodigy | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Prodigy | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Allstar | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Allstar | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Xpress | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Xpress | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Ultrastar | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Starquest | electrical system |
| 2011 Starcraft Starlite | electrical system |
| 2012 Starcraft Starlite | electrical system |
| 2013 Starcraft Starlite | electrical system |
| 2010 Starcraft Quest | electrical system |
| Units affected | 1,954 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A charging-system failure can stall the vehicle while driving, increasing crash risk. An incorrectly installed spring clamp can pierce both alternator-harness wires, create a short circuit, and start a fire. Schedule the inspection and harness repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Starcraft dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2013 Starcraft Starquest, Xpress, Ultrastar, Starlite, Quest, Prodigy, or Allstar bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Starcraft dealer to request the free alternator-harness inspection, clamp correction, and harness rerouting that address the charging-system failure and short-circuit risk.
- Reference recall number 14V018 when you call, and bring the owner notice if you have it.
- Avoid driving the bus until a service desk confirms whether the alternator harness is routed safely.
- Call Starcraft customer service at 1-800-347-7440 with questions about scheduling or the recall notice.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Starcraft technician inspects the alternator harness routing near the heater hose spring clamp and air conditioner compressor mounting bracket. If the clamp is installed in a position that pinches the harness, the technician corrects the clamp installation, repairs the alternator harness, and reroutes it away from the pinch point. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| January 27, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 19, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V018?
Recall 14V018 covers 1,954 2010-2013 Starcraft Starquest, Xpress, Ultrastar, Starlite, Quest, Prodigy, and Allstar buses with an alternator harness that can be pinched near the air conditioner compressor bracket. Starcraft dealers inspect the routing, correct the clamp installation, and repair or reroute the harness for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2013 Starcraft Starquest, Xpress, Ultrastar, Starlite, Quest, Prodigy, or Allstar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V018. If it is, contact a franchised Starcraft dealer or Starcraft customer service to schedule the inspection and harness repair. Reference recall number 14V018 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Starcraft dealers inspect the vehicle, correct the spring clamp installation, and repair or reroute the alternator harness as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V018?
The charging system can fail and stall the bus while driving, increasing crash risk. The spring clamp can also pierce the positive and negative alternator harness wires, creating a short circuit and fire risk. The dealer repair addresses the clamp position and harness routing.
What if I bought this Starcraft bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included, then call a franchised Starcraft dealer or Starcraft customer service with recall number 14V018.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V018000 |
|---|---|
| Starcraft customer service | 1-800-347-7440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V018 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V018000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →