NHTSA Recall 10V647000
Filed by Champion Bus, Inc.. Component: Steering. Reported 2010-12-21. An estimated 12 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER S2 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE IGEN3 STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)
Risk
MISLOCATED WELDS MAY RESULT IN TORSIONAL AND AXIAL STRENGTH FALLING BELOW ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
What the manufacturer will do
DAIMLER TRUCKS/FREIGHTLINER WILL HANDLE THE REMEDY AND QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE FREIGHTLINER'S DEFECT REPORT (10V-322). FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS/FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .