Recall 12V039 affects 20 2012 Champion M1235 trucks because side marker and turn signal lights stop working. Repair is free at authorized facilities.
Champion is recalling 20 2012 M1235 trucks because bulkhead module software can shut off the side marker and directional lights after a few minutes of driving. When those lights go dark, other drivers have less visibility and receive less direction information, which can increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Champion makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The 2012 Champion M1235 uses a Freightliner custom chassis with a bulkhead module, an electrical control unit that monitors and manages lighting circuits. Those circuits include the side marker lights and directional lights, which help other drivers see the vehicle's position and turns.
On affected M1235 trucks, the bulkhead module software has inaccurate fault detection values. After a few minutes of operation, the module can stop the side marker and directional lights from working even though the vehicle is still running. The lights return after the vehicle is shut down and restarted, which points to a software control problem rather than a burned-out bulb.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once it happens, the visible sign is that the side marker or directional lights stop working during a trip, then work again after a restart.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Champion M1235 | Turn signal |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 20 |
Not every 2012 Champion M1235 bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side marker or directional lights fail to illuminate, other drivers have less visibility of the vehicle or receive the wrong signal about its direction of travel. That raises crash risk. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Champion M1235 is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Champion owner notice mailed after February 2, 2012, with repair instructions for the Freightliner custom chassis.
- Call Champion at 1-810-724-6474 and reference recall number 12V039 when asking where to take the bus.
- Schedule the free bulkhead module software repair that keeps the side marker and directional lights working during operation.
- Bring the recall notice to the authorized repair facility if you have it.
What happens at the repair
Champion says repairs are performed at authorized facilities and are free of charge. The remedy record points to the bulkhead module software issue that can stop the side marker and directional lights after the vehicle has been running. At the service visit, a Champion technician corrects the fault-detection software problem and checks that the marker and directional lights keep operating as intended after startup. The filing does not give a repair-time estimate.
Timeline
| February 2, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| February 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V039?
Recall 12V039 covers 20 2012 Champion M1235 trucks with Freightliner custom chassis software that can turn off the side marker or directional lights after a few minutes of operation. The lights return after shutdown and restart, and the authorized repair is free.
What should I do if my 2012 Champion M1235 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V039. If it is, contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474 and ask how to schedule the free authorized repair. Reference recall number 12V039 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall remedy says Freightliner performs the repair at authorized facilities free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility and incorrect turn-direction information to other drivers. If the side marker or directional lights stop working during operation, other drivers have less warning about the vehicle's position or intended direction, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V039000 |
|---|---|
| Champion customer service | 1-810-724-6474 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V039 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V039000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →