Recall 14V729 covers 969 2006-2012 Starcraft Bus transit buses with wheelchair lift side plates prone to cracking. Repair is free at any franchised Starcraft Bus dealer.
Starcraft Bus is recalling 969 2006-2012 Xpress, Starquest, and Starlite transit buses because the platform side plate on certain Ricon wheelchair lifts can crack. If the platform separates and rests against the lift door, it can fall when the doors open, which increases injury risk to the lift operator; Starcraft Bus dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on affected 2006-2012 Starcraft Bus models uses side plates at the platform pivots to support the platform as it folds, deploys, and carries a wheelchair user. Those plates help keep the platform square and level while the lift moves between the doorway and the ground. When the plates hold their shape, the lift can deploy, stow, and lock as intended.
On these buses, the platform side plates on certain Ricon S-series lifts can develop fatigue cracks while the lift is stowed. The filing ties the cracking to high load, low cycle fatigue, with added stress from vehicle vibration, hydraulic drift, poor stow lock adjustment, bent vertical arms, or low hydraulic fluid. If a plate separates, the platform can sag, bind, or jam instead of moving evenly.
Operators can see cracks during routine checks described in the maintenance manual. Before full separation, the platform can lean to one side, fail to stow correctly, press against the door, or make abnormal noise.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 bus models from 2006-2012, all tied to adaptive/mobility equipment.
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Mvp | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Starlite | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Allstar Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Starcraft Bus Allstar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Starcraft Bus Xpress | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Starcraft Bus XLT | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Ultrastar | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Starcraft Bus Starquest | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 969 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Cracked platform side plates can let the lift platform separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out and injure the lift operator. Before using the lift, check for visible cracks, sagging, jamming, or abnormal noise. Repair is free at any franchised Starcraft Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2012 Starcraft Bus Xpress, Starquest, Starlite, Allstar, Allstar Xl, Mvp, Ultrastar, or XLT bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Starcraft Bus customer service at 1-800-348-7440 to arrange the free wheelchair-lift repair at a Ricon dealer or service center.
- Ask for the supplemental platform support bumpers; if the lift platform side plates have cracked, ask whether the platform will be replaced.
- Bring the recall notice if Starcraft Bus mailed one, and reference recall number 14V729 when you call.
- Keep passengers and lift operators clear of the lift area until the repair is complete if the platform shows cracking or loose movement.
What happens at the repair
At a Ricon dealer or service center, a Starcraft Bus technician installs supplemental platform support bumpers on the wheelchair lift. If the lift platform has already started cracking, the platform is replaced. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Starcraft Bus has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid for this repair before the recall notice. If you have prior repair paperwork, contact Starcraft Bus customer service or Ricon customer service and ask how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 13, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2014 | Dealer notification began |
| December 1, 2014 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 2, 2014 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 9, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V729?
Recall 14V729 covers 969 2006-2012 Starcraft Bus Xpress, Starquest, Starlite, Allstar, Allstar Xl, Mvp, Ultrastar, and XLT buses with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plate can crack, and Starcraft Bus will arrange free supplemental support bumpers or platform replacement.
What should I do if my 2006-2012 Starcraft Bus Xpress, Starquest, Starlite, Allstar, Allstar Xl, Mvp, Ultrastar, or XLT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V729. If it is, contact Starcraft Bus customer service at 1-800-348-7440 or a Ricon dealer or service center to schedule the free wheelchair-lift repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V729, the repair is free and includes supplemental platform support bumpers, with replacement of any lift platform that has already started cracking.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury to the lift operator. If the wheelchair-lift platform side plates crack, the platform can separate from the lift and rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out.
What if I bought the Starcraft Bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the bus, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Starcraft Bus is included, then reference recall 14V729 when you contact Starcraft Bus or the Ricon service center.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V729000 |
|---|---|
| Starcraft Bus customer service | 1-800-348-7440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V729 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V729000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →