2012 Champion M1235 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 Champion M1235 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 823 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EQUIPMENT 14V821000 2014-12-29 773 affected
Defect

Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ-Street, HC American, HCAC, LF Transport, M1235, Platinum Shuttle, Stacked Rail, and Federal Coach Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured January 1, 2012, to October 1,…

Consequence

Warning triangles that do not properly reflect light may fail to warn others that a vehicle is parked, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Champion will notify owners to inspect their triangles for production dates between April 2011, to April 2014, and the affected triangles will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2015. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-6474.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12V039000 2012-02-03 20 affected
Defect

CHAMPION BUS (CHAMPION) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ABC-M1235 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 18, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS. INACURATE FAULT DETECTION VALUES IN THE BULKHEAD MOUDLE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING AFTER…

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE SIDE MARKER/DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WILL RESULT IN DECREASED VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR MISINFORM OTHER DRIVERS AS TO THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, EITHER OF WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS AND PERFORM REPAIRS AT ITS AUTHORIZED FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12V040000 2012-02-03 30 affected
Defect

CHAMPION BUS (CHAMPION) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 ABC-M1235 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2011, TO NOVEMBER 18, 2011, BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS. THE GRID HEATER GROUND WIRE MAY CONTACT THE RELAY POWER TERMINAL AND RUB AND CHAFE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL FAULT OR SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS, AND INSPECT THE BUSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTE THE GROUND WIRE AS NECESSARY THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY FREIGHTLINER AUTHORIZED FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHAMPION AT 1-810-724-6474.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Champion M1235 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.