Champion Bus Recalls General Coach ABC Buses for Steering Column Defect
Champion Bus is recalling 2010-2011 General Coach ABC buses due to a potential steering column weld defect that could cause loss of steering control.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (steering column separation) that could result in loss of steering control and a vehicle crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Champion Bus, Inc. is recalling certain 2010-2011 General Coach ABC - M1235 buses built on Freightliner S2 chassis. These vehicles are equipped with TRW IGEN3 intermediate steering columns. The recall involves a defect where the weld securing the spline tube to the intermediate tube may be mislocated, meaning it is not fully over the seam created when the tubes are pressed together.
This mislocated weld may result in torsional and axial strength falling below acceptable levels. This condition could lead to the separation of the steering column, resulting in a loss of steering control and a vehicle crash without warning.
Daimler Trucks/Freightliner will handle the remedy and quarterly reports for this campaign. Owners will be notified, 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 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- GENERAL COACH ABC - M1235
- Brand
- GENERAL COACH
- Manufacturer
- CHAMPION BUS, INC.
- Category
- Vehicle — Bus
- Affected units
- 12
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- ABC - M1235
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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