Recall 17V446 covers 2 2016 Starcraft Quest school buses for flexible-coupling failure. Interim repair is free, with final repair once Starcraft opens it.
Starcraft is recalling 2 2016 Quest school buses under recall 17V446 because the flexible coupling between the transmission and driveshaft can fail early. A failed coupling can leave the bus unable to move, damage brake or fuel lines, or let it roll in Park if the parking brake is not applied; the dealer repair will be free once Starcraft opens it.
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What's wrong?
The driveshaft flexible coupling on the 2016 Starcraft Quest school bus is part of the driveline on the Ford Transit chassis under the bus. It sits between the transmission and the driveshaft, where it helps transfer engine power to the rear wheels while allowing a small amount of movement and vibration in the driveline.
On affected buses, that flexible coupling can fail earlier than it was designed to. When the coupling breaks down, the connection between the transmission and driveshaft is no longer secure. The recall record identifies this as a Ford Transit chassis issue carried through to the Starcraft Quest school bus, so the problem is in the driveline hardware under the bus rather than the bus body.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, vibration, or a dashboard light to give advance notice that the coupling is about to fail.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Starcraft Quest | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Starcraft Quest bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the coupling fails, the vehicle can lose drive power. A disconnected driveshaft can strike the brake and fuel lines, and a parked vehicle can roll if the transmission is in Park without the parking brake applied. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Starcraft dealer once Starcraft opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Starcraft Quest is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice mailed July 25, 2017, before scheduling the final remedy; this recall is listed as interim.
- Contact a Ford dealer about the free interim flexible-coupling replacement if the bus has more than 30,000 miles.
- Reference recall number 17V446 when you call, and ask whether Starcraft repair instructions are open for your VIN.
- Apply the parking brake every time you park until the driveshaft coupling repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
For the interim repair, a Starcraft technician replaces the driveshaft flexible coupling on any affected vehicle with more than 30,000 miles. Forest River says a final repair using a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft with a universal joint is being developed, and that final dealer repair is free once available. Ford offers refunds for owner-paid repairs tied to driveshaft flexible coupling failure. Seek reimbursement through an authorized dealer or directly through Ford, and keep paperwork showing the repair and cost.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 14, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 11, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 11, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 11, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V446?
Recall 17V446 covers 2 2016 Starcraft Quest school buses built on Ford Transit chassis with a flexible coupling that connects the transmission to the driveshaft. The coupling can fail early, leaving the bus unable to move and creating crash risk. The recall repair is free.
What should I do if my 2016 Starcraft Quest is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V446. If it is, contact the dealer handling this recall and reference campaign 17V446. Ford customer service is listed at 1-800-392-3673, and the interim coupling replacement is free for vehicles over 30,000 miles.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says these repairs will be made free of charge. The interim repair replaces the flexible coupling on vehicles over 30,000 miles while the final remedy is handled through the recall process.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of propulsion and damage from a separated driveshaft. If the flexible coupling fails, the bus cannot move under its own power. The disconnected driveshaft can damage brake or fuel lines, and the bus can roll away in Park if the parking brake is not applied.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V446000 |
|---|---|
| Starcraft customer service | 1-800-392-3673 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V446 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V446000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →