Recall 16V227 covers 7 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy and Quest school buses for seat-base bolt failure. Repair is free at any franchised Starcraft Bus dealer.
Starcraft Bus is recalling 7 2015-2016 Prodigy and Quest school buses under recall 16V227 because seat bolts can fail and let the seat separate from the base frame. In a crash, that separation increases injury risk for the seat occupant; the Starcraft Bus dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The seats in the 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy and Quest school buses are built on a base frame that supports the seat and keeps it fixed in place. Bolts, also called fasteners, clamp the seat to that frame so the seat stays attached during normal use and sudden movement.
On affected buses, the problem is in the fasteners supplied for certain seat assemblies. The hex head cap screw is a bolt with a six-sided head, and the affected bolts had reduced strength. When that bolt fails, the seat can separate from the base frame instead of staying locked to its support.
There is no warning sign before failure. A seat can look secure until the weakened bolt breaks, so owners and operators should treat VIN confirmation and the recall repair as the way to identify and fix the problem.
Who's affected?
Covers Prodigy and Quest buses from the 2015 and 2016 model years, all involving the same seat assembly.
| 2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Starcraft Bus Quest | seat assembly |
| 2016 Starcraft Bus Quest | seat assembly |
| 2015 Starcraft Bus Prodigy | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 7 |
| 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?
In a crash, the seat can separate from its base frame and raise injury risk for the person sitting there. Freedman Seating Company did not provide a warning sign, so confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange service if it is. Repair will be free at any franchised Starcraft Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy or Quest is included in this recall.
- Use Forest River's June 7, 2016 owner notice if you have it, or call Starcraft Bus customer service before scheduling.
- Contact a franchised Starcraft Bus dealer to ask when the free seat replacement is open; this fixes seats that can separate from the base frame after bolt failure.
- Reference recall number 16V227 when you call the dealer or Starcraft Bus customer service.
- Avoid using affected seating positions until the seat replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the repair is available, a Starcraft Bus technician replaces the seats covered by recall 16V227. The work addresses seats that separate from the base frame after bolt failure. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Starcraft Bus has a general reimbursement plan on file, so if you already paid for a related seat repair, ask customer service how to submit repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 20, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 7, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 14, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 14, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 14, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V227?
Recall 16V227 covers 7 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy and Quest school buses with seats that can separate from the base frame because of bolt failure. In a crash, a separated seat increases injury risk for the occupant. Dealers will replace the seats for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy or Quest is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V227. If it is, contact a franchised Starcraft Bus dealer to schedule seat replacement. Reference recall number 16V227 and the customer service line, 1-574-262-2212, when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and dealers will replace the affected seats free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy and Quest buses.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is occupant injury during a crash. The recalled seats can separate from the base frame if the bolts fail, so the seat occupant loses the protection the seat is designed to provide. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free seat replacement.
When did the Starcraft Bus seat recall begin?
The recall began on June 7, 2016. If you own or operate a 2015-2016 Starcraft Bus Prodigy or Quest, check the VIN even if no notice reached the current owner. Used buses and fleet vehicles still qualify when the VIN is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V227000 |
|---|---|
| Starcraft Bus customer service | 1-574-262-2212 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V227 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V227000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →