Recall 12V040 affects 30 2011-2012 Champion M1235 buses for grid-heater ground-wire chafing and short-circuit fire risk. Repair is free at Freightliner authorized facilities.
Champion is recalling 30 2011-2012 M1235 transit buses because the grid heater ground wire can rub against the relay power terminal and short circuit. An electrical fault can start a vehicle fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Champion makes it available.
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What's wrong?
On 2011-2012 Champion M1235 transit buses, the grid heater helps warm incoming engine air during cold starts. Its ground wire completes the electrical path back to the chassis, while the relay power terminal carries battery power to the heater when the circuit is energized. Those pieces need separation and insulation so current stays on the intended path.
On affected buses built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis, the grid heater ground wire is routed close enough to the relay power terminal to touch it. As the bus moves, the wire can rub against that terminal and wear through its insulation. Once the insulation is damaged, the ground wire can contact power and create a short circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first visible clue can be damaged insulation at the grid heater wiring, found during inspection rather than from a driver alert.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2011 and 2012 M1235 model years for the same turn-signal component.
| 2012 Champion M1235 | Turn signal |
|---|---|
| 2011 Champion M1235 | Turn signal |
| Units affected | 30 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 12V040 describes an electrical fault or short circuit that can start a vehicle fire. Schedule the recall inspection promptly and ask the dealer whether the ground wire routing needs correction. Repair will be free at any franchised Champion dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Champion M1235 is included in this recall.
- Use the owner notice mailed February 2, 2012, if you have it. If not, call Champion customer service at 1-810-724-6474 and reference recall number 12V040.
- Ask Champion where to take the bus for the free inspection and ground-wire routing repair.
- Park the bus away from structures until Champion confirms the ground wire cannot contact the relay power terminal.
- Bring the recall notice to the service visit so the facility can match the grid-heater ground-wire repair to your bus.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy states this repair was handled through Freightliner authorized facilities. A Champion technician inspects the bus, checks the grid heater ground wire routing, and routes the wire correctly when needed so it does not rub against the relay power terminal. Because the current remedy status is not listed, confirm availability before scheduling. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| February 2, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| February 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V040?
Recall 12V040 covers 30 2011-2012 Champion M1235 transit buses built on a Freightliner custom chassis. The grid heater ground wire can rub against the relay power terminal, causing an electrical short and fire risk. Authorized facilities will inspect and reroute the ground wire for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Champion M1235 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V040. If it is, contact a Champion dealer or authorized service facility and reference recall 12V040 when you schedule the inspection and ground-wire routing repair. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall remedy states that authorized facilities will inspect the bus and correctly route the grid heater ground wire 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 vehicle fire. If the grid heater ground wire contacts the relay power terminal and chafes, it can create an electrical fault or short circuit. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free inspection and repair before keeping the bus in service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V040000 |
|---|---|
| Champion customer service | 1-810-724-6474 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V040 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V040000 |
Source documents
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 →