Exterior lighting: turn signal (Champion)
Vehicle recall 12V-039. NHTSA received CHAMPION BUS, INC.’s report on Feb 3, 2012.
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The short answer
NHTSA received CHAMPION BUS, INC.’s report on Feb 3, 2012. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
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.
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 A FEW MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION.
LIGHTS WILL RESUME OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: turn signal.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 20 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Champion M1235and 2012, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by CHAMPION BUS, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.